Table 3 Percentages of T. bactrae females emerged from S. littoralis egg masses with different physical characteristics in a no-choice and choice tests

One layer with no scales

69.33 ± 2.47 Ab (60–81)

65.73 ± 1.98^a

72.00 ± 2.81 Aa (60–90)

60.6 ± 2.42^b

One layer with low scale density

71.67 ± 1.23 Ab (59–82)

63.80 ± 1.28 Bb (55–70)

One layer with mid scale density

76.28 ± 1.04 Aa (74–80)

64.80 ± 2.99 Bab (60–90)

One layer with high scale density

45.62 ± 3.19 Ad (30–55)

41.80 ± 2.69 Ac (30–55)

Two layers with low scale density

67.91 ± 2.00 Ab (59–79)

66.7 ± 1.70^a

66.77 ± 2.03 Aab (50–73)

66.62 ± 1.80^a

Two layers with mid scale density

71.18 ± 1.97 Ab (60–82)

66.00 ± 1.94 Aab (60–75)

Two layers with high scale density

61.00 ± 1.14 Bbc (55–65)

67.10 ± 1.42 Aab (60–72)

Three layers with low scale density

64.43 ± 1.72 Abc (55–70)

62.57 ± 1.71^b

68.80 ± 2.92 Aab (55–90)

65.9 ± 2.22^ab

Three layers with high scale density

60.71 ± 1.70 Ac (55–65)

63.00 ± 1.53 Ab (55–70)