CHEMICAL CUES PRODUCED BY CONSPECIFIC LARVAE DETER OVIPOSITION BY THECOCCIDOPHAGOUS LADYBIRD BEETLE, CRYPTOLAEMUS-MONTROUZIERI

Experimental evidence shows that oviposition in Cryptolaemus montrouzi eri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is deterred by the presence of conspecific larvae. A similar deterrent effect is also recorded when females are tested in an experimental set up that previously housed co nspecific larvae. It is shown that an oviposition-deterring pheromone is associated with the abundant wax filaments produced by the larvae o f C. montrouzieri.