Life cycle and stages of a parasitic wasp, Aphytis lepidosaphes, of purple scale, Lepidosaphes beckii. A. Parasite eggs are laid under the scale cover. B. The maggotlike, parasite larvae hatch and feed externally on the scale body, hidden under the cover. C. Parasite pupae and their dark feces (meconium). D. Dead scale with emergence hole of adult parasite. E. Adult female parasite. Credit: Adapted from illustrations in H. J. Quayle. 1938. Insects of Citrus and other Subtropical Fruits. Ithaca, NY: Comstock and P. DeBach and J. Landi. 1961. Hilgardia 31(14): 459-497.
