Ultrastructure of egg shell of four different Coccoidea species in Egypt

The present study was initiated to perform a comparative measurements of egg dimension and structure of four different species pertaining to three families of the super family: Coccoidea. These species were: Mycetaspis personata (Comstock) (Diaspididae), Ceroplastes floridensis (Comstock) (Coccidae), Pulvinaria psidii (Maskell) (Coccidae), and Icerya seychellarum seychellarum (Westw.) (Margarodidae). The studied species differed in their means of egg laying and chorion structure, which may explain the mode of insect protection. The dimensions of chorion shell, as well as the ultra structure of the egg shell of each species were examined and discussed.