The biological aspects of the predator Coccidophilus citricola were studied under controlled conditions (at 24±2ºC, 70±10% RH and 12 hours of photophase), fed on scale Aspidiotus nerii. The values registered to duration and viability were: embryonic period (9.54 days and 78.33%); 1st larval stage (4.22 days and 90.00%); 2nd larval stage (2.85 days and 100.00%); 3rd larval stage (2.94 days and 97.22%); 4th larval stage (3.22 days and 94.29%); larval phase (13.25 days and 82.50%); pre-pupa period (2.57 days and 100.00%); pupal phase (5.70 days and 100.00%); larva-adult period (21.53 days and 82.50%). The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods lasted 8.20, 73.47 and 8.53 days, respectively. The number of eggs/female was 114.13 and the number of eggs/female/day was 1.54. The longevity of females (90.20 days) was significantly higher than that of males (74.13 days).
predator; scale; biological control
