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<nitidulihtm> [For educational purposes
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COLEOPTERA, Nitidulidae -- <Images> & <Juveniles>
Several genera of nitudilids are known to have
predaceous habits. Carpophilus mutilatus Erich. is an extensive feeder on aphids on corn in
Barbados. Most species of the genus Cybocephalus are predaceous, both as
adults and larvae, on Coccidae, especially Diaspinae. Riley (1882) reported two species
predaceous on Chionaspis in western
North America. C. flavipes Reit and C. seminulum
Baudi are believed to effectively control Parlatoria
blanchardi Targ. in North Africa
(Balachowsky 1928). The first named
species is wholly a desert species and thus is well adapted for life in date
producing areas of northern Africa.
Several generations occur annually, and adults are present throughout
the year. Carpophilus californicus
Horn is an aggressive predator of the cyprus bark scale, Ehrhornia cupressi Ehr.
in California (Clausen 1940/62). Females of Carpophilus rufifrons Reit. lay their eggs underneath female scales of Aulacaspis pentagona Targ., and sometimes among newly hatched larvae that
have not yet left the protection of the scale cover. A thin-walled cocoon is constructed on the
foliage by the mature larvae, and this is covered with the remains of host
insects and other material (Silvestri 1910a). Cybocephalus sp. is a
predator on larger larvae and pupae of Aleurocanthus
spp. in Java (Clausen & Berry 1932).
The white larvae are sluggish and remain on the same leaf during the
entire feeding period if sufficient food is available. They have a close resemblance to larvae of
several species of the coccinellid genus Scymnus
that attacks the same host. They
pupate in a cell in the soil rather than on the foliage, and do not form a
cocoon (Clausen 1940/62) References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>, [Additional
references may be found at: MELVYL
Library ] |