Suitability of Corn Insect Pests for Development and Survival of Chrysoperla carnea and Chrysopa oculata (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Abstract

Immature development of the common green lacewing, Chrysoperla (= Chrysopa ) carnea Stephens, requires 20.5, 21.6, and 24.9 d at 27°C, with a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D), when fed Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (European corn borer) eggs, Agrotis ipsilon Hufnagel (black cutworm) eggs, and A. ipsilon neonates, respectively. Twenty-six to 40% of the individuals died when reared on eggs, 65% died when reared on A. ipsilon neonates, and all died when fed O. nubilalis neonates. Mortality of Chrysoperla carnea larvae on O. nubilalis neonates was due to entanglement in the silk produced by these larvae. An average of 377 ± 7 O. nubilalis eggs, 641 ± 43 A. ipsilon eggs, and 2,056 ± 148 A. ipsilon neonates were preyed upon by Chrysoperla carnea during larval development. Chrysoperla carnea and Chrysopa oculata Say first instars were unable to survive on stalk borer, Papaipema nebris (Guenee), eggs. More than 80% of Chrylsopa oculata larvae, reared on corn leaf aphids, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), as first and second instars and then switched to P. nebris eggs died as third instars, whereas only 30% of similarly reared Chrysoperla carnea third instars died. The most suitable prey, resulting in the fastest development with highest survival, for Chrysoperla carnea were O. nubilalis and A. ipsilon eggs; R. maidis was most favorable for Chrysopa oculata .