Carnea Eggs Research Articles

The brown lacewing Micromus angulatus: A new predator for the augmentative biological control of aphids

Aphids are notorious pests that pose significant challenges for their management in many economically important crops. While various predators and parasitoids are available for the augmentative biological control of aphids, there is a need to develop new species with unique characteristics that can be integrated into existing biological control programs. Micromus angulatus (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) is a brown lacewing with great potential for the biological control of aphids. Unlike the green lacewings used currently in biological control, both the larvae and adults of M. angulatus are predatory. In this greenhouse study, we compared M. angulatus to the well-established species Chrysoperla carnea as predators of Myzus persicae in sweet pepper and Chaetosiphon fragaefolii in strawberry. In sweet pepper, releases of M. angulatus eggs, C. carnea eggs or M. angulatus adults led to aphid reductions of 99.6%, 90.5%, and 87.1%, respectively, compared to the control. In another experiment in sweet pepper, preventative releases of M. angulatus adults (i.e., two days before the plants were infested with aphids) resulted in aphid numbers reduced by 98.8%. In strawberry, aphid numbers were reduced by 97.4%, 85.2%, and 60.3% in the C. carnea eggs, M. angulatus eggs, and M. angulatus adults treatments, respectively. Overall, our study highlights the potential of M. angulatus as an effective biological control agent against aphids in sweet pepper and strawberry. Moreover, our results suggest the possibility of releasing M. angulatus adults either preventatively or curatively for the suppression of aphid populations.

Population Dynamics of Lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea in Cotton Fields in the Central Region of Syria

Hawis, B., Z. Chikh Khamis and M. Al-Nabhan. 2023. Population Dynamics of Lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea in Cotton Fields in the Central Region of Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 41(4): 375-383. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP41.4.375383 Dynamics of Chrysoperla carnea population dynamics were studied for two growing seasons (2017 and 2018) in cotton fields in Hama at central Syria. Adults of C. carnea were prevalent in the field from July until the end of the season. The highest numbers of the predator adults caught by the sweeping net were in the middle of September (4 and 8 adults per 50 sweeping net beats in 2017 and 2018, respectively). The correlation between predator adults and maximum, minimum, and average temperatures were negative with low significance, and positive with weak significance between C. carnea adult population and relative humidity in 2017, but no correlation between these variables in 2018 were recorded. The correlation between adults and sunshine duration was negative in both seasons. C. carnea eggs were recorded in cotton fields in July of both seasons and continued to be present all during the season until 14 October in 2017 (22.96 eggs/100 leaves), and in 2018 predator eggs were reduced at the end of September to 7.41eggs/100 leaves. The highest number of eggs were noticed at the third week of 382 مجلة وقاية النبات العربية، مجلد ،41 عدد 4 ) 2023( august (38.52 and 49.63 eggs in 2017 and 2018, respectively). There was intermediate positive significance between eggs and minimum and average temperature in 2018. Positive correlations were recorded between the predator eggs and whitefly and aphid’s nymphs in both seasons. The low and middle levels of the cotton plant leaves were the preferred sites for females to put their eggs, and the proportion of eggs placed on these parts of plant in both seasons was 76.34%. Keywords: Chrysoperla carnea, population dynamics, weather parameters, Bemisia tabaci, Aphis gossypii, oviposition preference

Laboratory Evaluation of the Effect of Insecticides on Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The effect of 8 biopesticides and 23 synthetic pesticides on the eggs and larvae of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836), adults of Forficula auricularia Linnaeus, 1758, larvae of Adalia bipunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) and adults of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) have been evaluated under laboratory conditions. All of the tested biopesticides were harmless (causing mortality < 30%) or only slightly harmful (causing mortality 30–79%) to the tested natural enemies. The tested synthetic fungicides were harmless or slightly harmful, with the exception of myclobutanil, which was moderately harmful (causing mortality 90–99%) to A. bipunctata larvae. The tested synthetic insecticides were harmless or slightly harmful to C. carnea eggs and F. auricularia larvae. Various results were obtained for neonicotinoids ranging from the harmful effects (causing mortality > 99%) of thiacloprid on A. bipunctata larvae and H. axyridis adults to the harmless effects of acetamiprid on F. auricularia adults and C. carnea eggs. Thiacloprid, dodine and chlorpyrifos-methyl had effects on the behaviour of F. auricularia adults. The results confirmed the selectivity of the tested biopesticides that had no negative effects on the tested natural enemies.

Potential impact of host pest fed on Bt-modified corn on the development of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the potential impact of genetically modified corn hybrid, transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-expressing (Cry2Ab/1Ac), and the corresponding isogenic untransformed Bt-free hybrid on biological parameters of the green lacewing predator, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens). The effectiveness of transgenic (Bt)-expressing (Cry2Ab/1Ac) on C. carnea developmental parameters (larval duration, pupal duration, mortality %, pupation %, adult emergence %, and adult duration time) was investigated in the first experiment. In the second experiment, the effect of Bt Cry2Ab and Cry1Ac partially purified toxins on the hatchability of C. carnea eggs compared to cypermethrin was examined. Additionally, the toxicity effect of Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella, eggs sprayed with BtCry2Ab/1Ac mixture and cypermethrin on C. carnea was tested. The results showed that the mortality percentage of C. carnea fed on aphids reared on Bt corn (40%) was less than that fed on aphids reared on non-Bt corn (50%). Moreover, the larval mortality %, net pupation, and adults’ emergence percentage of C. carnea larvae fed on aphids reared on Bt corn and non-Bt corn were not significantly different. On the other hand, the hatchability data showed that the chemical insecticide (cypermethrin) severely affected the C. carnea eggs compared to Cry2Ab/1Ac toxins. These findings proved that adopting biopesticide formulation based on Bt toxins or Bt-modified crops will not only affect C. carnea but also enhance its ability as a potential biological pest control agent.

Bioefficacy, Phytotoxicity, and Biosafety of Mineral Oil on Management of Whitefly in Okra

There is little work on the bioefficacy of mineral oil on management of whitefly in vegetable crops. The bioefficacy of mineral oil, a safer material than synthetic chemical pesticides, was determined against whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. Laboratory and pot culture studies were conducted to test the bioefficacy of mineral oil alone or in combination with other materials against whitefly on okra. A 2% concentration of mineral oil + neem oil and mineral oil + Pongamia glabra seed oil produced 95% and 93.33% mortality at 48 h after treatment under laboratory conditions. In pot culture, 2% concentrations of mineral oil + neem oil and mineral oil + Pongamia glabra seed oil were effective against B. tabaci with a mean population reduction of 81.83% and 81.52%, respectively. Foliar application of up to 5% mineral oil on okra produced no phytotoxicity on 30- and 45-day-old plants. However, mineral oil at 7%, 10%, 15%, and 20% produced injury to tips and surfaces of leaves with a rating of 2.0, 2.0, 3.33, and 6.33 on 30-day-old plants and 2.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0 on 45-day-old plants, respectively. Mineral oil at 3% and 5% concentrations did not cause phytotoxicity. Laboratory experiments conducted on the safety of mineral oil and its combinations for the predator Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) eggs and grubs indicated that all mineral oil–based treatments were safe with negligible negative effects on hatching of eggs 89%–93.5% hatching and minimum grub mortality of 3.33%–16.67%. Mineral oil in combination with either neem oil or Pongamia glabra seed oil is efficacious in checking the whitefly population; furthermore, it is not phytotoxic and is safer for its common predator Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens).

Effect of different larval instars of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton on some biological aspects of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) under laboratory conditions

Predatory potential of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) was studied on different larval instars of Phyllocnistis citrella (i.e. second, third and mixture of all larval instars) under laboratory conditions (26± 2oC, 65±5% R.H, 16:8 L: D photo period). Results revealed that feeding and rearing on different larval instars of P. citrella affected predator biology with different degrees. It had no significant effect on incubation period of C. carnea eggs females, pupation period, adult longevity and pre-and post - oviposition periods. On the other hand, it had significant effect on C. carnea larval period and its survival, female fecundity and eggs fertility. In general, third instar larvae of P. citrella was the most preferred prey for C. carnea. The results illustrate the potential importance of prey resources (life stage) on C. carnea population growth and indicate that C. carnea has considerable potential for the biological control of P. citrella.

Non-target effects of kaolin and coppers applied on olive trees for the predatory lacewing Chrysoperla carnea

Kaolin clays and copper salts might be considered as alternative chemical control products for controlling olive pests in the contexts of both organic farming and integrated pest management programmes. Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neur. Chrysopidae) represents one of the most significant generalist predators of olive grove pests. In this study, we evaluated the side effects of these compounds on the predatory lacewing. First, kaolin and two copper salts (copper oxychloride and Bordeaux mixture) were tested on C. carnea eggs to determine their effects on egg viability and larval hatching suppression by topical application. Second, L3 larvae were exposed to the pesticide residues on treated olive tree leaves. Third, a series of three residual tests in adults were sequentially performed as follows: residues on glass surfaces, on olive tree leaves and on small olive trees. Finally, kaolin- and water-treated eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lep. Pyralidae) were offered to L3 larvae in both dual- and no-choice tests. C. carnea egg hatching was reduced by the kaolin treatment compared to the control treatment. Residual treatments were harmless to larvae and adults, without any deleterious effects on reproduction. L3 larvae consistently preferred to feed on water-treated E. kuehniella eggs compared to kaolin-treated eggs. The larvae from the no-choice test that had fed ad libitum until pupation on kaolin-treated E. kuehniella eggs, pupated and emerged as healthy adults in reduced proportions compared with those that fed on water-treated eggs. In conclusion, our data suggest that both kaolin and copper products appeared to be largely harmless or only slightly harmful to the predator.

Influence of spinosad on immature and adult stages of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Toxicity of spinosad to immature stages of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and its effect on the reproduction and survival of adult stages after direct spray and ingestion treatments were evaluated. Spinosad was harmless to C. carnea eggs and pupae irrespective of concentrations or method of treatments. Direct spray of spinosad to first instar caused significant reduction in rate of pupation and L1-adult survival, but did not affect the rate of adult emergence. Third-instar bioassay revealed significant difference in L3-adult survival. When C. carnea first instars were fed upon spinosad-treated-Brevicorynebrassicae (L.), significant differences in investigated parameters were not observed among different treatments. The weight of third instar and pupae were comparable regardless of tested spinosad concentrations. Also, feeding on spinosad treated-B. brassicae had no negative impact on fecundity and fertility. Furthermore, ingestion of spinosad contaminated-B. brassicae significantly prolonged larval and larval + pupal periods. The larval feeding capacity of C. carnea did not differ significantly between larvae fed on spinosad-treated and untreated aphids with the exception of first instar. When C. carnea adults were allowed to oviposit on spinosad treated-substrate, total number of eggs laid, percent of eggs laid on the treated substrate and egg hatching did not differ from those of control. However, when adults were fed on spinosad-treated artificial diet, negative effects on adult survival and fecundity were observed.

Parasitism of Eggs in Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) by Telenomus acrobates (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in Apple Ochards in Van, Turkey

A two year study of the parasitoids attacking Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens 1836) in apple orchards in the Van region, Turkey, revealed the activity of the egg and pupal parasitoids Telenomus acrobates Giard 1895 (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) and Dichrogaster sp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), respectively. In general, the population of C carnea increases after the first week of July in the apple orchards studied and parasitoids migrate to the orchards after the arrival of the predator, then both of them remain in the orchards throughout the season. Fluctuations in numbers of parasitized eggs generally follow the abundance of C carnea eggs. Overall, seasonal egg parasitism varied between 3.9% and 55.6% depending on the orchards and the years. Compared with the egg parasitism, low numbers of Dichrogaster sp were obtained from the C carnea pupae and the pupal parasitism was 9.5% throughout the season. According to our results, the parasitism affected the effectiveness of C carnea. However, additional factors affecting the effectiveness of green lacewing against pests, and the effects of treatments against it and its natural enemies should be evaluated in IPM programs .

Effects of different neem preparations in comparison to synthetic insecticides on the whitefly parasitoid Encarsia sophia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and the predator Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on cotton under laboratory conditions

The contact and feeding toxicity of NeemAzal T/S (EID Parry, Chennai, India) to the parasitoid Encarsia sophia (Girault & Dodd) was compared with three synthetic insecticides (chlorpyriphos, endosulfan and triazophos) against immatures and adult emergence. NeemAzal T/S (1.0%) at lower dose (200 mg/l) did not cause any effect on the emergence of E. sophia adults, but there was a significant reduction in emergence at higher doses (800 mg/l). Also, it did not show contact toxicity to adults of E. sophia, but there was a significantly high feeding mortality in a dosage dependant manner, whereas chlorpyriphos, endosulfan and triazophos showed high toxicity both by contact and feeding method. Three neem preparations registered in India, NeemAzal T/S, Nimbecidine (T. Stains, Coimbatore) and Godrej Achook (Godrej Agrovet, Mumbai) were tested against egg and larval stages of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) at three dosages, using a synthetic insecticide, triazophos 40 EC (200 mg/l), for comparison under laboratory conditions. The three biorationals did not induce any adverse effect on the hatchability of C. carnea eggs. The mortality of the first instars of C. carnea was not affected by any of the azadirachtin enriched formulations; however, at higher dosage of 800 mg/l these neem based products resulted in increased mortality of the first and second instar larvae of C. carnea relative to the untreated controls. Whereas, triazophos induced very high mortality rates (85.0, 89.0 and 81.5%) of all the three larval instars. The neem based insecticides showed a dosage-dependant effect on the larval instars of C. carnea. Thus, these biorationals show that there is a potential to use them in an IPM system, being safe for natural enemies of B. tabaci in cotton.

Evaluation of factors influencing augmentative releases of Chrysoperla carnea for control of Scirtothrips perseae in California avocado orchards

Weekly releases of Chrysoperla carnea for control of Scirtothrips perseae were evaluated in replicated field plots in two commercial avocado orchards in southern California, USA. Two release techniques and rates commonly employed by commercial pest control advisors who routinely use this generalist predator for S. perseae control were assessed. Release technique one utilized C. carnea eggs glued to paper squares that were stapled to leaves of experimental trees at a rate of 41,000 eggs per ha. Release technique two used a motorized backpack sprayer to apply a dry mixture of lacewing eggs and larvae to trees at a rate of 514,501 per ha. Pest populations were monitored by making bi-weekly population counts of S. perseae larvae and adults on leaves, and adult densities were simultaneously monitored in each experimental plot with yellow sticky cards. In the laboratory, degree-day accumulation until death of immature C. carnea was determined at temperatures representative of field conditions when predators were provisioned with varying amounts of food or different food types. Preference for S. perseae instars by first, second, and third instar C. carnea was assessed in the laboratory, and intraguild predation towards larvae and adult females of a co-occurring generalist predatory thrips, Franklinothrips orizabensis , was investigated along with intraspecific predation rates. Both release strategies failed to significantly reduce S. perseae populations in comparison to non-treated control plots. Approximately 35–96% of C. carnea eggs and larvae applied with the motorized sprayer landed on the ground. C. carnea larvae lived for approximately 1–2 days when provisioned with either no food, an avocado leaf or avocado pollen. Longevity was extended to 14–15 days when prey was provided. C. carnea larvae showed no preference for first or second instar S. perseae , all predator instars attacked first instar F. orizabensis , but only second and third instar C. carnea managed attacks on second instar F. orizabensis larvae. No adult female F. orizabensis were attacked and no attacks by F. orizabensis on C. carnea were recorded. Second instar C. carnea engaged in the highest levels of intraspecific predation.

Effects of mass releases of Trichogramma brassicae on predatory insects in maize

AbstractWe investigated whether mass releases of Trichogramma brassicae against the European corn borer will have detrimental effects on populations of other natural enemies in maize. In a tiered approach, experiments investigated the host acceptance of T. brassicae towards eggs of Chrysoperla carnea, Episyrphus balteatus, Adalia bipunctata, and Coccinella septempunctata under laboratory, caged, and field conditions. The factitious host, Ephestia kuehniella, and in one case also Mamestra brassicae were used as control. Under laboratory conditions, 53% of the T. brassicae females parasitised C. carnea eggs, 70% parasitised E. balteatus eggs, while 91% of the females parasitised E. kuehniella eggs, with T. brassicae emerging from C. carnea, E. balteatus, and E. kuehniella at rates higher than 81%. No parasitoid offspring emerged from eggs of A. bipunctata and C. septempunctata. However, we observed significantly increased mortality on A. bipunctata eggs, compared to the control, and also found young instars of T. brassicae inside A. bipunctata eggs. In a second experiment where the host acceptance behaviour of the parasitoid female was directly observed for 10 min, 10% of T. brassicae females were found to oviposit in eggs of A. bipunctata, but the development of parasitoid offspring failed. No C. septempunctata eggs, 13% of E. balteatus eggs, 23% of C. carnea eggs, 33% of E. kuehniella egg clusters, and 83% of M. brassicae eggs were accepted for oviposition. In the greenhouse under caged conditions, the parasitism rate of C. carnea eggs (7%) and E. balteatus eggs (0.4%) were significantly lower than of E. kuehniella eggs (21 and 27%, respectively). In the final tier, 3.1% of C. carnea eggs were parasitised by T. brassicae under field conditions. This was significantly less than the observed parasitism rate of E. kuehniella egg clusters (64%). From direct observations of the parasitoids’ host acceptance behaviour and the low parasitism rates observed under caged and field conditions, we conclude that detrimental effects of the mass release of T. brassicae on populations of natural enemies in maize are unlikely to occur.

Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner (Homoptera:Aphididae) a Serious Pest of Sugarcane in Maharashtra and Attempts at its Management by Biological Means

Serious and unprecedented infestations by the sugarcane woolly aphid, Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner were witnessed on the leaves of 4·9 month old sugarcane crop in Kolhapur and Pune districts of Maharashtra during September-October, 2002. During surveys for natural enemies, seven predators were recorded in Kolhapur, of which Dipha?aphidivora (Meyrick) was observed to be the most promising. In Pune district, only Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) was recorded. Limited field releases of the coccinellid, Synonycha grandis (Thunberg) collected from the bamboo woolly aphids at Bangalore and the chrysopid, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) were made in a small area at Kolhapur. S. grandis adults and C. carnea eggs were recovered 2 to 3 weeks after release, indicating their survival in the field.

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The oviposition characteristics of two species of lacewings, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephans) and Chrysopa pallens (Rambur), were investigated in pear, eggplant and cucumber fields as well as on locust trees at Saitama Horticultural Experiment Station (Kuki City) in 1996. The habitat and oviposition site of C. pallens adults showed a closer association to aphid populations than C. carnea. Consequently, many eggs of the former species were deposited where aphids were abundant in the eggplant and pear fields. On the other hand, the distribution pattern of C. carnea eggs in the eggplant field was a weakly aggregated distribution. The spatial association of eggs of C. carnea and C. pallens and their prey (aphids, spider mites and thrips) in the eggplant field was analyzed by interspecies mean crowding. The distribution of C. carnea eggs showed a weak correlation to aphids, whereas C. pallens eggs had a positive correlation with aphids. The developmental times and rate of C. carnea and C. pallens were observed on three prey species: Tetranychus urticae Koch (green-form), Aphis craccivora Koch, and Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum (Olive) to determine the food habits of their larvae. When spider mites were provided as prey, C. carnea survived and developed well, but C. pallens did not develop to adults.

Do sympatric Trichogramma species parasitize the pest insect Helicoverpa armigera and the beneficial insect Chrysoperla carnea in different proportions?

AbstractParasitism of two host species by five Trichogramma species (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) was studied in the laboratory. The host species were: i) the bollworm Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), an important pest of many crops in the tropics and subtropics, and ii) one of its natural enemies, the lacewing Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae), a predator often used as a biological control agent. The proportion of H. armigera eggs parasitized from the total number of parasitized hosts differed between Trichogramma species. The average number of parasitized eggs per female in 24 h by Trichogramma pintoi and T. bourarachae was 10 of H. armigera and about 0.5 of C. carnea. For the other three Trichogramma species (T. cordubensis, T. evanescens and T. turkestanica) these averages varied from 6 to 11 H. armigera eggs and from 3 to 4 C. carnea eggs. Total adult offspring production, contacts with hosts, secondary clutch size and sex‐ratio of each Trichogramma species were determined as well. The results show that sympatric Trichogramma may parasitize target and non‐target species in different proportions. If this difference corresponds to the field situation, simple laboratory tests could be performed to select not only efficient biogical control agents, but also species which are the least detrimental to non‐target hosts.

Potential for intraguild predation and competition among predatory Coccinellidae and Chrysopidae

AbstractIn a laboratory study two coccinellid species, Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer) and Harmonia axyridis Pallas, completed preimaginal development on lacewing eggs, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens or pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) in similar times. Preimaginal survival on C. carnea eggs was similar to survival on A. pisum for all stages of C. maculata and H. axyridis. Coccinellid adults that developed on C. carnea eggs were smaller than adults reared on A. pisum. Coccinella septempunctata L. did not complete preimaginal development on C. carnea eggs. Chrysoperla carnea preimaginal developmental time was approximately 20 days when fed either C. maculata eggs or A. pisum. Chrysoperla carnea fed C. maculata eggs developed into smaller adults, compared to adults reared as larvae on A. pisum, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) eggs, or A. pisum alternated daily with O. nubilalis eggs. C. carnea did not complete preimaginal development on H. axyridis eggs. Cannibalism occurred more frequently between C. carnea third instars than between C. maculata fourth instars. When a C. carnea third instar was paired with a C. maculata fourth instar, more C. maculata were preyed upon by C. carnea, regardless of the herbivorous prey density. In the field these two predator species may negatively affect each other and reduce their suppression of pest densities.

Viability of green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea Steph. (Neuropt., Chrysopidae) eggs stored in potential spray media, and subsequent effects on survival of first instar larvae

Abstract: At 4°C, green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea eggs can be stored for one day in 0.125%; agar solution or in water without any reduction in hatch rate or larval survival compared with eggs kept in air. For eggs kept in solution for two or more days, hatch rate was clearly reduced, but those larvae that emerged survived as long as those emerging from eggs stored in air. No larvae emerged from eggs stored in solution for 8 days.

Inundative Releases of Chrysopa carnea for Control of Heliothis on Cotton1234

Eggs or larvae of Chrysopa carnea Stephens were released on cotton in the field and in field cages to control the bollworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), and the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.). Two field releases totaling 292,000 C. carnea larvae per acre reduced populations as much as 96% and increased yield 3-fold. Releases of C. carnea eggs in field cages at rates of 50,000 and 100,000 per acre also provided effective control of the tobacco budworm.