Abstract: Coccobius azumai Tachikawa is an important parasite of Hemiberlesia pitysophila Takagi (Homoptera:Diaspididae) and it has been purposely introduced into Guangdong Province in 1987-1989. Its morphology, development, reproduction, longevity and host-feeding behaviour were studied. Female larvae of C. azumaidevelop as primary endoparasitoid of H. Pitysophila females, whereas male larvae are secondary parasites, and develop on the mature larvae, prepupae and pupae of their own kind and other hymenopterous species. Sexual dimorphism occurs at all stages, including the deposited eggs. Mated females of C. azumai preferred to oviposit in gravid and egg-laying H. pitysophila females and could discriminate between parasitized and unparasitized hosts. A mated female laid about 14.75 eggs through 19.7-30.9C; 60% of the eggs were laid within the initial 3 days. Coccobius azumaifemales developed at 21℃, 24℃, 27℃ and 30℃ from egg to adult in 41.24, 32.60,25.60 and 23.00 days respectively. The thermal threshold and thermal sum for the development were 10.1℃ and 448.3 day-degrees respectively. The parasitoid had 9-10 generations a year in Guangdong Province.

Key words: Coccobius azumai, Hemiberlesia pitysophila