Santos, A.C., & Gravena, S. 2005 Aspectos biológicos de Coccidophilus citricola (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) sobre Aspidiotus nerii e Chrysomphalus aonidum (Homoptera, Diaspididae).. Ciencia Rural 35(1): 6-9.

Notes: Title in English: [Biological studies of Coccidophilus citricola (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) on Aspidiotus nerii and Chrysomphalus aonidum (Homoptera, Diaspididae).] Laboratory trials were carried out to study the biological aspects of Coccidophilus citricola on Chrysomphalus aonidum and A. nerii. The scales were reared on squashes and then served as food source to the predator. The period of egg, larvae (4 instars), pre-pupae, pupae, adults' longevity and male:female ratio were observed. The predatory efficacy of Coccidophilus citricola on A. nerii was also determined. The period of egg was 7.9 and 8.1 days on A. nerii and Chrysomphalus aonidum, respectively. The development (days) of different stages of Coccidophilus citricola on A. nerii or Chrysomphalus aonidum was similar. The period of each larval instar on A. nerii and Chrysomphalus aonidum, respectively, was 2.7 and 2.9 (I), 3.1 and 3.3 (II), 3.0 and 3.3 (III) and 3.2 and 3.1 (IV) days. The duration of pre-pupae stage was 2.5 and 2.8 days and that of pupae stage was 4.5 and 4.8 days on A. nerii and Chrysomphalus aonidum, respectively. The viability from egg to adult was 63.2 and 62.7%, respectively, on A. nerii and Chrysomphalus aonidum. The adults' longevity was 57 and 62 days on A. nerii and Chrysomphalus aonidum. The male:female ratio was 0.82:100. The consumption of adults of Coccidophilus citricola on A. nerii was 1.15 adults or 2.35 nymphs of second instar or 3.16 nymphs of first instar per day.