Mathen, K.Chandy Kurian2014-06-072014-06-072007-02-08Indian J.Agrl.Sci. 1972 v-42 i-3 p-255-262http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2526Nymphs and imago of Stethoconus praefectus (Distant) recorded from Kerala for the first time feed on nymphs and adults of Stephanitis typicus Distant, a pest of coconut foliage. The redescription of imago given here relates to the external morphology of the head, thorax and abdomen. Description of the immature stages and details of its life-cycle and habits arc reported for the first time. There are 5 nymphal instars. The life-cycle occupies a period of 16.6 ± 0.61 days, with an incubation period of 7.1 ± 0.53 and total nymphal period of 9.6 ± 0.95 days. There is a slight preponderance of females in the field. Males live for 2-20 days and females for 12-45 days. The pre-oviposition period is 4.25 ± 0.67 and the post-ovipo-sition period is 3.2 ± l.72 days. A single female lays on an average 2.1 ± 0.5 eggs a day. A single metamorphosing nymph devours 62.3 ± 6.0 host nymphs. An adult on an average sucks 5.2 ± 0.94 hosts a day.enArticle