PARTHENOLECANIUM CORNI (BOUCHÉ) (HEMIPTERA COCCIDAE) IN VINEYARDS IN PORTUGAL: MORPHOLOGY, SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT, LIFE CYCLE AND REPRODUCTION

Abstract

Due to the type of damage associated with scale insects of genus Parthenolecanium sp. (Hemiptera Coccidae) on vineyards and the increase of its importance, these pests have been studied in central region of Portugal. We addressed the following objectives: i) identification and morphological characterization of soft scales occur in vineyards and the parasitoids associated; ii) seasonal development and life cycle; iii) reproduction. The examined scale were identified as Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché, 1844), despite the existence of some morphological differences and fertility levels recorded in the two regions studied. Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker, 1839) (Hymenoptera Aphelinidae) and Metaphycus dispar (Mercet, 1925) (Hymenoptera Encyrtidae) parasitize the studied P. corni. Based on laboratory and field bioassays, some aspects of morphology as well the seasonal development, life cycle and reproduction are presented.