Immature Stages of Encyrtus saliens (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), an Imported Parasite of Ice Plant Scales (Homoptera: Coccidae) in California

Abstract

Immature stages of Encyrtus saliens Prinsloo & Annecke are described and illustrated. There are five instars, each distinguishable by a unique set of characters. The immature parasite always maintains contact with the external air, in the larval stage by the caudal spiracles appressed to the base of the aeroscopic plate of the egg case, and in the pupal stage by the host tracheae attached to the pupal sheath. Immature stages of other Encyrtus species are discussed and it is concluded that there are five instars in members of the genus Encyrtus generally, rather than four, as often reported.