Host-plant preference of the red-striped soft scale insect, Pulvinaria tenuivalvata [Newstead]

ABSTRACT

Effect of five host plants on different biological aspects of the red striped-soft scale, Pulvinaria tenuivalvata [Newstead] was studied. The percentage of nymphs that succeeded to reach the adult stage differed on the different host plants. This percentage was maximum on sugar-cane and sweet sorghum followed by cogon grass, while the minimum was on maize. The shortest pre-oviposition period of the insects was recorded on sugar-cane and elephant grass plants, while the oviposition period was about twice greater on sugar-cane than on sweet sorghum. No significant difference existed between the oviposition period on sweet sorghum and maize. The maximum number of eggs was found on sugar-cane, but the minimum number was found on maize and sweet sorghum. Adult longevity on sugar-cane was about twice greater than that on maize, while it was one and half that on elephant grass. Thus, sugar-cane plant was more preferable to the insect than all other tested host plants