THE BIOLOGY AND TAXONOMY OF HYPERASPIS-PANTHERINA (COLEOPTERA, COCCINELLIDAE) AND THE CLASSICAL BIOLOGICAL-CONTROL OF ITS PREY, ORTHEZIA-INSIGNIS (HOMOPTERA, ORTHEZIIDAE)

Between 1908 and 1959, the predatory coccinellid, Hyperaspis pantherin a Fursch, was released for the biological control of the ensign scale Orthezia insignis Browne in Hawaii, four African countries and Peru. S ubstantial control was reported after all the releases, although the o utcome was disputed in Malawi. Other coccinellid species and predatory Diptera were released against Orthezia spp. in various programmes fro m 1952 to 1977. In most cases these agents failed to establish, and th ere were no reported effects on the target Orthezia spp. In 1993, H. p antherina was released in St Helena for the control of O. insignis on the endemic gumwood tree, Commidendrum robustum (Compositae). Preparat ory investigations for this release revealed that the taxonomy and bio logy of this biocontrol agent were poorly known. Hyperaspis pantherina is redescribed and shown to be the correct name for the species previ ously known incorrectly as H. jocosa (Mulsant). Hyperaspis laeta Gorha m and H. levrati (Mulsant) are transferred to the genus Cyra Mulsant ( comb. n.). Hyperaspis metator (Casey) (stat. rev.) is resurrected from synonymy with H. levrati auctt. Studies of the life history revealed that H. pantherina normally lays its eggs directly onto the adult fema le O. insignis and that the first two instars of the larvae are freque ntly passed inside the ovisac of the female host, after which the host itself is often consumed. The information on the biology and taxonomy of H. pantherina, together with details of culturing methods, should facilitate the further use of this agent for the classical biological control of O. insignis, a pantropical pest.