Laboratory studies on the biology of Lepidosaphes conchiformis (Gmel.) (Hem., Diaspididae) and of its parasite Aphytis maculicornis (Masi) (Hym., Aphelinidae)

During 1963–69 the United States Department of Agriculture sponsored investigations on scale insects and their natural enemies in West Pakistan.* In the course of the survey Lepidosaphes conchiformis (Gmel.)† was collected from several localities. It occurred sporadically, but infestations were heavy on most of the plants on which it was found. In the hills it was commonly parasitised by Aphytis maculicornis (Masi). The potential importance of the scale and its parasite merited laboratory studies at Rawalpindi.