Watson, G.W., & El-Serwy, S.A. 2008 Aspects of the biology, ecology and parasitism of Acanthomytilus sacchari (Hall) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on sugarcane in Egypt.. Proceedings of the XI International Symposium on Scale Insect Studies, Oeiras, Portugal, 24-27 September 2007. ISA Press Lisbon, Portugal 322 pp.

Notes: Abstract: The armoured scale, Acanthomytillls succhari (Hall) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), attacks sugarcane, Saccharum officinalis L., in Egypt. A diagnosis and taxonomic illustration are provided to aid identification of this insect, and its host range and distribution arc given. The biology was studied in an untreated sugarcane field at AI-Aiat (Giza govenorate) in 2000. Scales appeared in early May; by the end of July, 72% of the leaves bore 5-24 scales each. By late August, every leaf WdS infested, each with an average of about 25 scales. Scale numbers peaked at an average of about 40 per leaf in the third week of September. Significantly more scales were found on the upper leaf surface than the lower, and on the middle third of the leaf than at either end. In late July, the average number of eggs and first-instar larvae found under a female's scale cover was 39; reproduction peaked at an average of 48 eggs and larvae per female in early September. In the outdoor insectary, four generations (egg to egg) occurred between late July and mid-December. The shortest generation time (27 days), oviposition period (7 days), and highest fecundity (6.86 eggs/ day) occurred at an average temperature of 29.0°C and relative humidity (RH) of 62.2% in August. The longest generation time (48 days), oviposition period (16 days) and lowest fecundity (3.69 eggs/ day) occurred in December at an average temperature of 22.6°C and RH of 67.4%. Reproductive capacity ranged between 25-67 (average 50) eggs per female. The sex ratio was about 1 :1. Parasitism of A. saccluiri by Metaphycus flavus (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was recorded for the first time. The average level of parasitism for July-September was 22%, with peaks recorded in late July, mid-August and late September (about 28, 39 and 25% respectively).