Life-History Traits of the Predatory LacewingDichochrysa prasina(Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): Temperature-Dependent Effects When Larvae Feed on Nymphs ofMyzus persicae(Hemiptera: Aphididae)

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AbstractThe predatory lacewing Dichochrysa prasina Burmeister (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is an abundant cosmopolitan species. In Greece, it is widespread in orchards and vegetable and field crops, and it has been considered an important biocontrol agent of aphids. In this work, the preimaginal development and adult longevity and reproduction of D. prasina were studied at six constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 27, 30, and 33°C) and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h under laboratory conditions. Nymphs of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were offered as prey throughout larval development. At the highest tested temperature of 33°C, no larvae completed development. At the rest temperatures, developmental time for preimaginal stages decreased from 136.0 to 29.2 d at 15 and 30°C, respectively. Percentages of adult emergence ranged from 48 to 76% at the temperatures tested. The estimated thermal requirements for total preimaginal development were 583.4 degree-days, whereas the upper and lower threshold temperatures were 32.9 and 9.9°C, respectively. Both female longevity and egg production were significantly affected by temperature. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) ranged from 0.01631 to 0.08739, with the highest value recorded at 27°C (0.09831). The rm values determined at different temperatures fitted to Lactin's nonlinear model. The lower and upper threshold and optimal temperatures for population increase were 13.1, 33.1, and 27.2°C, respectively. The results of the current study could be useful for explaining phenology and population dynamics of this indigenous predator in the field.