A NEW MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE ON KERMES VERMILIO (PLANCHON) (HEMIPTERA: COCCOIDEA: KERMESIDAE)

A NEW MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE ON KERMES VERMILIO (PLANCHON) (HEMIPTERA: COCCOIDEA: KERMESIDAE). Kermes vermilio (Planchon) is a common scale insect living on Quercus ilex L. in urban environments in Southern Italy. Morphological studies on the nymphs and prepupae showed the presence of a pair of membranous ventral frontal lobes, situated just antero-medially to each basal antennal segment. Similar lobes are only currently known in the family Eriococcidae. These structures are therefore here recorded in the Kermesidae for the first time, although it is thought probable that they are present on other species of the family. Their function is unknown. Key words: phylogenetic relationships, Pseudococcidae, Dactylopiidae, Coccidae, Lecanodiaspididae

Cornicle secretion of Acyrtosiphon pisum (Harris) (Homoptera, Aphididae) as a contact kairomone for the parasitoid Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera, Braconida

Females of the endophagous parasitoid Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) respond positively to the cornicle secretion of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Homoptera: Aphididae). The parasitoid response has been assessed in a Petri dish choice test by presenting an aphid dummy consisting of a glass bead coated with cornicle secretion along with an untreated bead, which acted as a contro. Naive females responded similarly to the treated glass beads and aphids, while experienced females responded less to the treated beads than to aphids. The kairomonal activity of the cornicle secretion decreased as the wax dried. The behavioural response registered seems to be innate and not induced by associative learning