Leucaspis pusilla Low

 

        Leucaspis pusilla particularly form a compact colonies on the eldar pine leaves.  They cause turning yellow and drooping of the acerose leaves of the trees. In strong infection it delays the growth of  trees, and some times even brings to their withering.
        In Absheron this diaspididae  hibernates in the second  larva stage . In April arousalalready happens.In this period the growth of the male and female specimens is different. The shell of the females grow step-by-step, however, under the shell – in the body thorough changes also occurs. The nymphal shell of the males grow, the appendages, antennae and wings grow bigger and bigger. During this period the male and female specimens differ appearantly just a little. The shell of the female specimens are whitish, or grey, and longish. There is 1 larva shell. The nymphal shell of the males looks like the shell of the females, but it is much narrower.
        In the first and second decade of  May the males are already developed. The males have got long antennae, and wings. After the full growth they leave the shell. The body is brown, the appendages are yellowish. The intromittent organ has developed well, appears distinctly. It has not got a mouthpart. The male specimens live only 2-3 days, their role is to fecundate the female specimens . After 7-10 days of fecundation the female specimens there seems to be a lot of intra organic immature egg cells in the when dissecting it. At the end of May, and duringthe first half of June the first larva partuirating female specimens appear. The unable larvae are longish-oval flat disc, and whitish-yellow color. These unable larvae are very active, just that’s why after the germination leaving the shellvery soon they look for a suitable place on the plant to stick. As the larvae are partuirated for long period it is impossible to count their exact number.
        In the second half of June already the fly of the males happens. The fly of the males lasts approximately 15-20 days. At the end of July appearthe females creating the second generation. The unable larvae moving actively get a fixed mode of life when find a suitable place. At first it is covered with an initialshell. Under this shell which is hyaline the body of the diaspididae is seen partially. In the further period of the development the shell and the intrashellbody gets a mature form growing gradually.  In the second age larva stage the female and male specimens differ in appearance partially. The nymphal shell of the males is rather narrower.

     

     City Zoo

     City Zoo