Sarkisov, R.N., Mkrtchyan, L.P., & Khechoyan, L.S. 1990 [Biology of the wheat cochineal Porphyrophora tritici Bod. (Homoptera, Coccinea).]. Biologicheskii Zhurnal Armenii 43: 5, 410-412.

Notes: Descriptive notes are given on the different stages, male and female reproductive systems and the larval cysts of Porphyrophora tritici, its distribution and food-plants are reviewed briefly and a short account is given of its life history in Armenia. Comparisons are made with P. hamelii. Although polyphagous, P. tritici infests particularly cereals and is a pest of wheat. The crawlers overwinter in the soil, seeking out the food-plant in the spring. The nymphs form cysts in the region of the root neck. Adults pair on the soil surface from the end of May, after which the females dig themselves into the soil and lay an average of 80 eggs. These hatch in September. Parthenogenesis occurs, though with low hatching rate and reduced fecundity. This species is not used for dye extraction owing to its smaller size and lower numbers in comparison with P. hamelii.