Abstract
Crapemyrtle bark scale (CMBS; <italic>Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae</italic>), an invasive sap-sucking hemipteran, has spread across 16 US states. Infestation of CMBS negatively impacts the flowering and reduces the aesthetic quality of crapemyrtles. The widespread use of soil-applied neonicotinoid insecticides to suppress the CMBS infestation may be hazardous to pollinators and other beneficial insects. Natural enemies of CMBS are important agents for developing integrated environmentally friendly management strategies. This study evaluated the performance of larval green lacewing (<italic>Chrysoperla rufilabris</italic>) as a biocontrol agent of CMBS. Predatory behavior of the larval <italic>C. rufilabris</italic> upon CMBS was documented under a stereomicroscope using infested crapemyrtle samples collected from different locations in College Station (Texas, USA). Predation potential of <italic>C. rufilabris</italic> upon CMBS eggs and foraging performance using Y-maze assay were investigated under laboratory conditions. Results confirmed that larval <italic>C. rufilabris</italic> preyed on CMBS nymphs, eggs, and adult females. The evaluation of predation potential results showed that 3<sup>rd</sup> instar <italic>C. rufilabris</italic> consumed significantly more CMBS eggs (176.4 ± 6.9) than 2<sup>nd</sup> (151.5 ± 6.6) or 1<sup>st</sup> instar (11.8 ± 1.3) in 24 hours. Results from the Y-maze assay indicated that larval <italic>C. rufilabris</italic> could target CMBS in the dark, indicating that some cues associated with olfactory response were likely involved when preying on CMBS. This study is the first report that validated <italic>C. rufilabris</italic> as a natural predator of CMBS and its potential as a biological agent to control CMBS. Future investigation about the olfactory response of larval <italic>C. rufilabris</italic> to CMBS would benefit the development of environmentally friendly strategies to manage CMBS.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
