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<phyci1.ima.htm> [For
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Immature Stages of Phycitidae
Detailed information on immature
stages of Phycitidae is being acquired However, Clausen (1940) discussed the
family in some length. This largely
phytophagous of scavenger family contains several species which feed entirely
on other insects, especially in the orders Lepidoptera and Homoptera. Phytica
dentilinella Hamp. is a
predator of pupae of several Lepidoptera in India. During some seasons it is found abundantly in cocoons of the
nettle grub, Parasa lepida Cram. (Ayyar 1929). It is thought that the young Phycita larva reaches the host
prior to cocoon formation. Infested
cocoons have thinner walls than those of healthy hosts, and this indicates a
certain amount of feeding by the predator larva while the host was still
active (Clausen 1940/1962). An undescribed species
from southern Africa was studied by van der Merwe (1921). One to 6 1st instar larvae were found on
almost mature larvae of Dasychira
extorta on the foliage of
fig trees. Feeding was very extensive
on the body fluids of the Dasychira
larva, and after its death the predator may move to another host. Oviposition was not observed, but eggs
were found on cast skins. The young
larvae apparently do not feed extensively until the host spins its
cocoon. Thereafter occurs a rather
long resting period, after which either the host larva or the pupa is quickly
consumed. Mature larvae measure 25
mm. long, and the larval period ranges from 6-12 months, and the pupal period
from 18-30 days. Adults show mostly
during late summer. Clausen (1940)
believed that this species was far advanced toward obligate parasitism,
because of the ability of some individuals to attain maturity on a single
host. Ayyar (1929) recorded Euzophera cocciphaga Hamp. as a predator on the eggs and young
larvae of the giant monophlebine coccid, Aspidoproctus
xyliae Gr., infesting rain
trees in India. The greenish-yellow
eggs are laid singly on the host's dorsum, most often in the posterior
region. Newly hatched caterpillars
crawl about over the scale for a while but eventually find their way beneath
the body. One to 3 larvae may be
found beneath each scale. Shortly
after feeding begins, they securely fasten the margins of the scale insect to
the substratum with silken strands.
This is thought to serve the purpose of preventing emergence of the host
larvae after hatching. It was
observed that no larvae ever emerged from parent scales known to be infested,
and yet when a passageway was made through the silken barrier they emerged in
numbers. Mature parasitoid larvae are
grayish-green and ca. 6.5 mm. long.
Pupation occurs within a tubular cocoon beneath the host remains. Other Indian species of this genus are
known as stem borers or fruit feeders. Laetilia coccidivora
Comst. is a predator on the terrapin scale, Lecanium nigrofasciatum
Perg., and attacks others also, particularly Ceroplastes, Icerya
and Pulvinaria (Simanton
1916a). First brood eggs are laid
singly among the mature scales during early June, and feeding is mainly on
gravid females. A delicate silken
tube is constructed from scale to scale, within which pupation occurs. Larvae of the second brood feed on the
young scales during late summer. Vitula saissetiae Dyar is predaceous on Saissetia sp. in Panama, and the larvae of V. edmandii Comst. has been collected in bumblebee nests in
North America (Clausen 1940/1962). Cereobata coccophthora
Turn. is predaceous on Eriococcus,
and its behavior, including the provision of a dorsal shield, is quite
similar to that of the noctuid Eublemma. Cryptoblabes
gnidiella Mill., normally
feeds on plant foliage, but it also has been observed to feed extensively on
the various stages of Aleurocanthus
spp. in Malaya (Clausen 1940/1962).
References: Please
refer to <biology.ref.htm>,
[Additional references may be found at: MELVYL Library ] |