Honda, J.Y., & Luck, R.F. 1995 Scale morphology effects on feeding behavior and biological control potential of Rhyzobius lophanthae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 88(4): 441-450.

Notes: Abstract: Morphological characteristics of scale covers and bodies of Aonidiella aurantii and Aspidiotus nerii were compared to determine their protective value against R. lophanthae; a higher percentage of R. lophanthae larvae survived when they fed on second and third instar A. aurantii and all stages of A. nerii than when they fed on gravid and parturient A. aurantii; predator preference for scale stage and species reflected the ease with which it was able to penetrate the scale cover and body of its prey; results indicate that R. lophanthae is unlikely to suppress A. aurantii populations below those of economic concern when it is the sole biological control agent present; in contrast, the entire life span of A. nerii is vulnerable to predation, and this species appears to be suppressed to low densities by R. lophanthae. Keywords: biological control.