Hickel, E.R. 2004 Ciclo evolutivo da cochonilha parda em cultivo protegido de videira. [Life cycle of big brown scale, Parthenolecanium persicae (Homoptera: Coccidae), in a protected vine crop.].. Agropecuaria Catarinense 17(3): 84-87.

Notes: The big brown scale, P. persicae, is a serious pest in vineyards in Santa Catarina, Brazil. This pest attacks mainly Vitis vinifera hybrids, especially Couderc 13 and some Seibel cultivars, causing severe losses. Groups of big brown scale were observed and measured in a protected vine crop to determine its life cycle under local conditions. The scale developed one generation a year and overwintered as second instar nymphs in one-year-old vine twigs. In November and December, eggs and crawlers were observed under the resulting big brown cover of the scale, nevertheless the great number of crawlers spreading in plants was only observed in January. After oviposition, the females died and the scales had brown coffee colour. First moults occurred in late February and the second instar nymphs remained mobile during the winter. The second moults occurred in August and the third instar nymphs developed until October when the nymphs apparently reached the adult stage. No males were observed in the coccid groups, suggesting that reproduction is parthenogenic.