The behaviour of Aphytis chrysomphali, a hymenopterus parasite of the coconut scale - Aspidiotus destructor, in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Aphytis chrysomphali Mercet, an aphelinid parasite of the coconut scale, Aspidiotus destructor sign, was studied in the field with refference to its behavioral response to the host. When the data on parasitism collected from a single site at seven different times were analysed, only on three accasions did the parasite show a significant direct deasity -dependent response to changes in host density.