Toxicity Evaluation of certain Pesticides against Green Lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) under Laboratory Conditions

Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) is a general biocontrol agent of several insect pests in greenhouses. The lethal effects of four compounds, imidacloprid, lufenuron, thiametoxam and thiodicarb, on the eggs and 1st instar larvae of C. carnea were studied in laboratory conditions. Dipping bioassay tests were used for eggs and the residual contact method for larvae. Positive relationships were detected between the concentrations of insecticides and mortality rates of various stages. However, there were considerable variations in toxicity of insecticides. Thiodicarb had no effect on eggs, whereas thiametoxam with an LC50 value of 1.90 μg ai. L-1 showed the highest ovicidal activity. On larvae, thiametoxam was the most toxic (LC50= 0.55 μg ai. L-1) and lufenuron proved to be the least toxic (LC50 = 44.02 μg ai. L-1). The use of thiametoxam should be carefully evaluated if employed in combination with C. carnea in IPM programs

The common pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt and Lauterer (Hem.: Aphalaridae), is one of the most important pests of pistachio orchards in Iran. Green lacewing, Chrysoperlacarnea, as a general predator found abundantly in Iranian pistachio gardens, loses its performance under the impression of pesticides spraying. Nowadays, considering environmental pollutions, human health and the importance of healthy and organic nutrition, extensive researches are carried out around the world in order to replace the synthetic products with plant materials. In this study, the mortality effect of two ethanol extracts of Tribulus terrestris and Tagetes erecta and two essential oils of Mentha pulegium and Rosmarinus officinalis were studied on A. pistaciae and its natural enemy C. carnea. The results showed that, although essential oils do not have appreciable effect on mortality of this psylla, but the extracts have high mortality potential on psylla nymphs, especially on N1 nymphs and the low influence on 1-2 days green lacewing larvae. The plant extracts and essential oils have not effect on 5-6 days green lacewing larvae. The results show that the plant derived chemicals and ethanol have not negative effect on hatching rate of the natural enemy. Among these treatments, R. officinalis essential oil has negative effect on eggs hatching rate, so its use is not recommended. Therefore with no impact of plant material on natural enemies, we can use green lacewing and herbal extracts in integrated pest control.

Simple SummaryBacteria have occupied a wide range of habitats including insect hosts. There they can strongly affect host physiology and ecology in a positive or negative way. Bacteria living exclusively inside other organisms are called endosymbionts. They often establish a long-term and stable association with their host. Although more and more studies focus on endosymbiont–insect interactions, the group of Neuroptera is largely neglected in such studies. We were interested in the common green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea), a representative of Neuroptera, which is mainly known for its use in biological pest control. We asked ourselves which endosymbionts are present in these lacewings. By screening natural and laboratory populations, we found that the endosymbiont Rickettsia is present in all populations but the symbiont Sodalis only occurred in laboratory populations. We were curious whether both endosymbionts affect reproduction success. Through establishing and studying green lacewing lines carrying different endosymbionts, we found that Rickettsia had no effect on the insect reproduction, while Sodalis reduced the number of eggs laid by lacewings, alone and in co-infections with Rickettsia. The economic and ecological importance of green lacewings in biological pest control warrants a more profound understanding of its biology, which might be strongly influenced by symbionts.Endosymbionts are widely distributed in insects and can strongly affect their host ecology. The common green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea) is a neuropteran insect which is widely used in biological pest control. However, their endosymbionts and their interactions with their hosts have not been very well studied. Therefore, we screened for endosymbionts in natural and laboratory populations of Ch. carnea using diagnostic PCR amplicons. We found the endosymbiont Rickettsia to be very common in all screened natural and laboratory populations, while a hitherto uncharacterized Sodalis strain was found only in laboratory populations. By establishing lacewing lines with no, single or co-infections of Sodalis and Rickettsia, we found a high vertical transmission rate for both endosymbionts (>89%). However, we were only able to estimate these numbers for co-infected lacewings. Sodalis negatively affected the reproductive success in single and co-infected Ch. carnea, while Rickettsia showed no effect. We hypothesize that the fitness costs accrued by Sodalis infections might be more tolerable in the laboratory than in natural populations, as the latter are also prone to fluctuating environmental conditions and natural enemies. The economic and ecological importance of lacewings in biological pest control warrants a more profound understanding of its biology, which might be influenced by symbionts.

In order to find out a better and cheaper artificial diet for mass rearing of common green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea, an experiment was conducted using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 replications and 5 observations. In this study were used three diets [a mixture of honey, yeast and distilled water (1:1:1), a mixture of honey, yeast plus extract of Angomois grain moth eggs (1:1:1) and a mixture of honey, yeast plus extract of Mediterranean flour moth eggs (1:1:1)]. Experiments were run at 14L:10D, 25±2 oC and 60±5% RH on 7th generation adults. The effect of different diets was studied on biological parameters such as pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods, longevity of male and female, fecundity, average weight of one egg and egg hatchability. Results revealed that the mixture of honey, yeast and extract of Mediterranean flour moth eggs (1:1:1) showed the minimum pre-oviposition period (6.66±0.49 days) and longest oviposition period (28.57±1.09 days), longevity of male (45.73±0.89 days) and female (37.73±0.59 days), highest fecundity (795.0±23.05 eggs per female) and egg hatchability (84.98±2.82 %). Also the average weight of one egg laied by females fed on this diet obtained 0.069±0.00 mg that didn’t show significant difference (P≤0.05) with maximum observed amount (0.070±0.00 mg). So it is clear that the diet contains honey, yeast and extract of Mediterranean flour moth eggs is the best. Keywords: Green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea, Food supplement, Angomois grain moth, Mediterranean flour moth

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 .

Functional response of third-instar larvae of green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), to four densities of single-instar larvae of the five instars of obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), was evaluated at 25 ± 1°C in a laboratory. The aims were to determine the type and other characteristics of functional response including predatory capacity of green lacewing for possible use in augmentative biological control in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh; Rosales: Rosaceae) orchards where obliquebanded leafroller was recently introduced in Mexico. Abundance of the pest increased rapidly, causing significant foliar damage and some fruit blemish. Third-instar green lacewing larvae based on logistic regression analysis showed Type II functional response to four densities of single-instar larvae of obliquebanded leafroller. Among the five instars of prey, the largest average number consumed per green lacewing predator was a relative density of four second-instar larvae at a rate of 1.93 in 24 hours. Also, substantial average consumption was by two third-instar prey larvae per predator whereby an average of 1.5 third-instar obliquebanded leafrollers were consumed per third-instar green lacewing in 24 hours. The third-instar predator captured and consumed third-instar prey larvae in the shortest handling time (h), i.e., only 6.46 minutes, whereas the handling times for the other instars ranged from 23.48 minutes for the fifth instar to 31.56 minutes for the fourth instar. However, attack coefficients (a) of green lacewings were slightly greater for third- and fourth-instar prey larvae, with 0.19 hour (11.4 minutes) and 0.15 hour (9.0 minutes) until the first attack, respectively, compared to 0.09–0.11 hour (5.4–6.6 minutes) until the first attack for the other instars. Results indicated that the green lacewing could be considered a prospective candidate for use as a biological control agent against lepidopteran leafrollers.

The Green Lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a successful predatory insect; augmented for bio control practices especially for Integrated Pest Management. It is observed that green lacewing C. carnea (Steph.) has good potential of predation and caught good attention for its successful use against sucking insect pests. Currently it was evaluated for the management of white fly Bemisia tabaci infesting cotton crop. The data shown that the predator reduced white fly B. tabaci population significantly. Overall maximum population reduction was recorded in T-1 Chemical Control (6.01±3.75/leaf) followed by T-2 Bio-Control (green lacewing C. carnea) (6.84±3.90/leaf) as compare with control (8.50±4.93/leaf) While maximum population of Whitefly B. tabaci (10.40±5.75/leaf) recorded in non Bt. Control (NIAB-78). Acetamaprid 20SL has good toxicity recoded minimum predatory population (0.04/plant) in T-1 (Chemical Control plot); maximum were observed (0.3/plant) in T2 Bio-Control (Green Lacewing C. carnea) released plot.

Upon herbivore attack, plants produce and emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some of these compounds may be used in defensive strategy namely the attraction of the herbivores natural enemies. To increase our knowledge of aboveground-induced VOCs on beneficial organisms, we describe laboratory study on the chemotactic behavior of two-spotted lady beetle (Adalia bipunctata L.) and green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea [Stephens]) larvae toward synthetic VOCs (methyl salicylate, (E)-β-farnesene, (E)-β-ocimene, and E-nerolidol) typically emitted by insect-damaged peach cultivars. All tested VOCs influenced the behavior of both tested organisms. Our results are suggesting that VOCs can influence the movement of green lacewing larvae only for short period of time, while on the other hand two-spotted lady beetle larvae can follow the chemical signal for longer period of time. Results demonstrate a laboratory attraction of two-spotted lady beetle and the green lacewing larvae to a synthetic (E)-β-ocimene. Furthermore, our study showed a repellency of two-spotted lady beetle and the green lacewing larvae to a synthetic (E)-nerolidol, (E)-β-farnesene, and methyl salicylate.

The green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), is an important natural enemy of various crop pests, especially aphids. In the Japanese fauna, there are two types of larval forms, A and B, characterized by different head capsule markings. The Type A form is distributed throughout Japan, but the Type B form has a more limited distribution. Adults use abdominal vibration as a communication signal (courtship song) during mating. We analyzed oscillograms of these songs among several Japanese populations of C. carnea. The courtship songs of types A and B are distinctly different from one another. We then performed crossing tests between the two types. Copulation between same-type pairings was much more likely than between different-type pairings. We also analyzed courtship songs of European C. carnea sensu stricti, introduced to Japan as a natural enemy of crop pests. The song of these introduced green lacewings appeared to differ from either type of Japanese C. carnea. The two types of C. carnea are likely to be different species, and also distinct from C. carnea sensu stricti of Europe.

Over the period of July to September 2005 effects of insecticide Integro with the effective substance methoxifenozide and biological preparation Trichoplus using parasitoid wasps Trichogramma evanescens and T. pintoi were evaluated in maize stands. These natural enemies of aphids were recorded in monitored fields (located in South Moravia, Czech Republic): parasitoids of genera Aphidius and Praon (Hymenopetra, Aphidiidae), predatory syrphid flies (Diptera, Syrphidae), ladybirds (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae), Orius bugs (Heteroptera, Anthocoridae), Green Lacewing – Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) and spiders (Araneida). No significant difference (T = 0.003; F = 4.894; P = 0.004) in popu­lations of aphids and their antagonists was found in the studied variants (Integro, Trichoplus). More remarkable differences were found only soon after spraying with Integro. Syrphid flies pupae decreased by 41% in the Integro variant, and by 13% in the Trichoplus variant. Ladybird larvae did not occur in the Integro variant after spraying, there where 0.12 ladybird larvae on plant in the Trichoplus variant. Number of ladybird adults increased from 0.01 to 0.53 individuals per plant in the Trichoplus variant, but from 0.03 to 0.1 individuals in the Integro variant. Number of ladybird pupae decreased from 0.32 to 0.02 pupae per plant in the Integro variant, but it has increased from 0.04 to 0.54 in the Trichoplus variant. Correlative relationship between ladybird adult growing coefficient and aphid populations in the Trichoplus variant was found.

Plant quality can directly and indirectly affect the third trophic level. The predation by all the instars of green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (S.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on the cereal aphids, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), and Sitobion avenae (F.) at varying nitrogen fertilizer levels was calculated under laboratory conditions. Wheat plants were grown on four nitrogen fertilizer levels and aphids were fed on these plants and subsequently offered as food to the C. carnea. Aphid densities of 10, 30, and 90 were offered to first, second, and third instar larvae of green lacewing. Increased nitrogen application improved nitrogen contents of the plants and also the body weight of cereal aphids feeding on them. Aphid consumption by green lacewings was reduced with the increase in nitrogen content in the host plants of aphids. Predation of both aphid species by first, second, and third instars larvae of C. carnea was highest on aphids reared on plants with the lowest rate of fertilization, suggesting a compensatory consumption to overcome reduced biomass (lower aphid size). Total biomass devoured by C. carnea on all nitrogen fertilizer treatments was not statistically different. Additionally, the heavier host prey influenced by the plant nutrition had an effect on the life history characteristics of green lacewings. The larval duration, pupal weight, pupal duration, fecundity, and male and female longevity were significantly affected by the level of nitrogen fertilization to the aphid's host plants, except for pupal duration when fed on S. avenae. This study showed that quantity of prey supplied to the larvae affects the prey consumption and thereafter the life history characteristics of green lacewings.

Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuraoptera: Chrysopidae) is a generalist predator of many small-bodied insects like aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and Corcyra cephalonica (Lepidoptera: Phyralidae). Studies on the feeding potential of the 1st,2nd, and 3rd of C. carnea were evaluated on aphid adults and eggs of C. cephalonica under laboratory conditions. The incubation period of C. carnea was evaluated at various temperatures I.e., 24cͦͦ, 27cͦͦ, 30cͦͦ. Suggests that the highest survival percentage was observed on 24cͦͦ (78%). The predatory potential of the 1st,2nd, and 3rd instar of C. carnea on adult aphids and eggs of C. cephalonica was 66.6, 139.7, and 293.9. And 49.7, 138.33, and 204.6 respectively at (27cͦͦ with 70±5% R.H). Highest feeding (293.9) was observed by the 3rd instar larvae having daily feeding efficacy of 69.97 on aphids, while the. Highest feeding (204.6) was observed by the 3rd instar larvae having a daily feeding efficacy of 35.96 on eggs of C. cephalonica. The survival percentage was found 78, 68, and 56 at 24±1°C, 27±1°C, and 30±1°C with 70±5°% R.H. The results show that the maximum number of aphids were consumed by C. carnea while feeding on it while the maximum hatching and survival percentage is found in 24±1°C. The developmental duration was significantly affected when the host and rapidly developmental duration was shorter when C. carnea fed on an aphid. The green lacewing, C. carnea is an effective biological control agent in immature stages while predating soft-bodied insects throughout the year mostly in cold areas.

The common green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836) is best-known as bio-control agent. It is mass reared and released for biological control programs against sucking insect pests in Agricultural crops. A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the artificial diets for the rearing of C. carnea was conducted in bio-control laboratory at Nuclear Institute of Agriculture, Tandojam. Different solution concentration of diets i.e.; Brewer yeast, Protein hydrolysate, Honey and Sugar were formulated at different (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 grams) solution concentration with 20 ml water were offered to newly emerged C.carnea adults inside the four liter glass jars to observe different biological parameters. The shortest pre- oviposition period (3.5±0.09c) was recorded on brewer yeast 4 grams then, 2 3 and 5 grams followed by Protein solution and Honey solution whereas; longest pre-oviposition period (4.9±0.36a) was recorded on 1 gram Sugar solution. Moreover, significantly highest (P ≤ 0.05) fecundity and fertility (215.6±6.18a, 194.2±5.55a) respectively were observed on 4 gram brewer yeast then 2, 3 and 5 grams followed by Protein solution and Honey solution. The longest longevity of C.carnea female and male 49.3±2.34a and 39.0±2.08a) respectively was recorded on 4 gram brewer yeast then 2, 3 and 5grams followed by Protein solution, Honey solution., whereas, shortest longevity of female and male (14.6.±1.67cd and 9.6±1.33d) respectively was observed on 1 gram sugar solution. The shortest incubation, larval and pupal duration (3.0±0.33d, 13.3± 0.48d and 4.1±0.10 c ) respectively was recorded on 4 gram brewer yeast then 2, 3 and 5 grams, followed by Protein solution, Honey solution. The longest incubation, larval and pupal duration (4.95±1.20 a, 15.9± 1.50a and 6.7±0.80a) was observed on 1 gram Sugar solution The findings of this study can significantly persuade the better and cheapest artificial diet ingredients for the adult rearing of this predator in the laboratory and brewer yeast is very cheapest having significant role in adult rearing of C. carnea.

Biological characteristics of the predator Chrysoperla carnea, aphid lion were studied in the laboratory at a temperature of. 25±1°C, 70±5% relative humidity, and 16:8 h of daily light / dark periods. two different preys were tested as hosts for C. carnea larvae. The predator larvae were fed on newly emerged larvae of pink bollworm, Pectinophera gossypiella,and adult members of Aphis craccivora, Cowpea aphid (2-3 days old), The results showed that the duration of larval and pupal period of predator was observed differences which recorded 8.46± 0.82 and 6.92± 0.86 days, respectively, when the predator larvae fed on PBW larvae, while recorded 8.25± 0.96 and 6± 0.15 days, respectively, when the predator larvae fed on adult aphids. The larval survival percentage was 88.1% and 90.2% respectively, while the emergence of the adult was 87.4% and 94.7% respectively, Data showed the incubation period of eggs was similar in two treatments, the duration of C. carnea females had higher than the duration of males. The percent of egg hatchability recorded a higher value 95.87% when the predator larvae fed on adult aphids and recorded 91.51% when its fed on PBW larvae.

Sweet corn was grown in 9.3 m2 replicated plots following National Organic Program Standards. Plots were baited with Benallure® beneficial insect lures containing 2-phenylethanol or were left as non baited controls. Beneficial insects were sampled weekly during silking using 232 cm2 yellow sticky traps placed at ear height directly in the plot center and 0.9 m from plot center in each cardinal direction. Pink lady beetles [Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer)], multicolored Asian lady beetles [Harmonia axyridis (Pallas)], and green lacewings [Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens)], were the predatory insects collected on the traps. The pink lady beetle was the most abundant predator caught. Multicolored Asian lady beetles and green lacewings were caught in low numbers during both years of the study. However, multicolored Asian lady beetles were more abundant in Benallure baited plots than non baited plots early during anthesis in 2006. Benallure lures did not attract pink lady beetles or green lacewings during...