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On the life-history and fecundity of the cochineal insect, Dactylopius austrinus De Lotto (Homoptera: Dactylopiidae), a biological control agent for the cactus Opuntia awantiaca

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

V. C. Moran  and
B. S. Cabby
V. C. Moran
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes UniversityGrahamstown 6140, South Africa.
B. S. Cabby
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes UniversityGrahamstown 6140, South Africa.
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Abstract

The life-history of Dactylopius austrinus De Lotto on the weed Opuntia aurantiaca, is described. The male moults four times and the female twice. The instars are illustrated. Fecundity is shown to be a function of female density on the plant and of host-plant condition. The sexes were produced in a ratio of about two males to one female.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 69 , Issue 4 , December 1979 , pp. 629 - 636
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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