then placed in contact with other non-infested plants to spread non-parasitized scales to

other plants. Thus, we could be confident that parasitoids and predators did not invade

the colony.

 A colony of C. nipponicus was initiated from individuals collected in south Miami

(N2538'21" W80020'09"). Aphanogmus albicoxalis Evans and Dessart (Hymenoptera:

Ceraphronidae) parasitizes the pupae of C. nipponicus in southern Florida (Evans et al.

2005), but this parasitoid was excluded by collecting only adult beetles and subsequently

rearing future generations in sealed cages (0.5m x 0.5m x 0.5m). Cycad leaves infested

with CAS were cut from the colony plant, with rachis bases placed in floral water tubes

for hydration, and then placed in rearing cages. The leaves and interior of the cage were

misted with distilled water every three days. A moist sponge also was provided for

hydration. Leaves were replaced every three weeks. Old leaves were held in separate

cages for three weeks to recover emerging beetles. Beetle and scale voucher specimens

were placed in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA).

 All life cycle studies were carried out in temperature- and humidity-controlled

cabinets set at 250 C with a relative humidity of 80% and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D).

Each treatment was initiated by isolating 25-30 mating pairs of beetles randomly selected

from the laboratory colony. Each pair was placed in a 25-dram plastic vial with one C.

revoluta leaflet infested with male and female CAS. After 24 hours the beetles were

removed and eggs collected from beneath the scale armor on the leaflet. Eggs were

measured (length and width), and then, to simulate natural conditions, placed on the

surface of a small, clean piece of C. revoluta leaflet and covered with the armor of an

adult female CAS. The leaflet piece was placed in the well of a rectangular tissue culture