The objective of this work was to study the biology, morphology and behavior of Aspidiotus nerii Bouché, 1833 (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) under controlled conditions (25±1°C, 70±10% R.H. and 12 hours of photophase), using "cabotiá" cucumber pumpkins as hosts. Nymphs of the 1st stage obtained of mass rearing (mother culture) were transfered to "cabotiá" pumpkins, properly cleaned and disposed in acclimatized cameras. The medium period for fixation of the nymphs was of 2.4±0.33 hours. The 1st and 2nd stages, after the fixation of the nymphs, lasted 8.3±0.06 and 19.4±0.11 days, respectively, totalizing a nymphal phase of 27.9±0.11 days. 36 females were observed daily until the end of the cycle. The pre-reproductive and reproductive periods lasted 17.3±0.18 and 68.2±4.33 days, respectively. The medium total number of nymphs/female was 175.5±10.29 and the medium number of nymphs/female/day was 2.7±0.11. The female's longevity was 100.5±4.51 days.
Oleander scale; mass rearing; biology
