Evaluation of Green Lacewings for Suppressing Azalea Lace Bug Populations in Nurseries

Abstract

Abstract Greenhouse and nursery studies were conducted to determine an optimal release rate and efficacy of green lacewing (glw) larvae, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), for suppression of azalea lace bug (alb), Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott). In a greenhouse study, different densities of lace bugs (40 or 80 per plant) did not influence the percent mortality caused by green lacewings. However, greater numbers of green lacewing larvae released resulted in higher lace bug mortality (5 and 20 glw per plant resulted in an average lace bug mortality of 79% and 97%, respectively). Lacewing larvae released in a production nursery, at rates of 5/plant and 10/plant, and acephate (Orthene) significantly reduced lace bug populations, with green lacewings at 10/plant and acephate reducing lace bug densities more than green lacewings at 5/plant. In a second nursery trial, lacewing larvae released into production blocks of azaleas resulted in a 97% reduction in lace bugs. These studies suggest that augmentative release of green lacewing larvae may provide an alternative control tactic that can be integrated into lace bug pest management programs.