Ceraeochrysa Cubana Research Articles

Toxicity of Varronia curassavica Jacq. Essential Oil to Two Arthropod Pests and Their Natural Enemy.

This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of the Varronia curassavica Jacq. essential oil to two cosmopolitan and polyphagous pest species, the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) and the green aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer). Additionally, we tested the essential oil toxicity to a generalist predatory insect, the green lacewing Ceraeochrysa cubana Hagen. The treatments consisted of four essential oil concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0%) and one control (Tween® 80 + water). At 0.75% concentration, the V. curassavica essential oil caused the highest mortalities for both pests. The concentration of 1.0% of the essential oil interfered mainly in the rates of oviposition and egg hatching and caused a decrease in the instantaneous population growth rate (ri) of T. urticae. Survival of the C. cubana was not affected by the highest tested concentration of the essential oil (1%). Tested concentrations V. curassavica essential oil were toxic to T. urticae and M. persicae, but not to the predator C. cubana.

Is Ceraeochrysa cubana a coffee leaf miner predator?

Coffee leaf miner (CLM), Leucoptera coffeella, is a key pest of unshaded coffee in hot, dry neotropical production areas. Control is hampered by CLM mining behavior that reduces biological control and pesticide efficacy. Therefore, finding natural enemies that can efficiently control CLM could improve conservation and augmentative biological control practices, and potentially reduce reliance on increasingly ineffective insecticide applications. The green lacewing Ceraeochrysa cubana is a generalist predator often found in coffee crops in Brazil, but there is little information regarding its potential contribution to CLM control. We investigated whether C. cubana preys on immature stages of CLM and whether predation levels vary according to life stage of C. cubana or CLM. First, second and third instar C. cubana readily consumed CLM eggs, but once inside mines, few CLM larvae were consumed. Second and third instar C. cubana successfully preyed on CLM pupae, but first instars did not. Thus, all three instars of C. cubana were able to prey on at least one immature stage of CLM, with potential to impede mine formation and adult emergence.

Abundance and diversity of lacewings in grower operated organic and conventional pest management programs for Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

The lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) are predators of several economically important pests in agriculture and they are naturally present in the citrus orchards in Brazil. However, their abundance and diversity needed to be determined in order to identify their role in the management of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), which is an economically important pest and vector of huanglongbing. Our goals were to identify lacewing species and their abundance in the organic and conventional management programs against ACP in the citrus crops and determine the biological parameters of the predominant species on ACP. The lacewings were monitored in three municipalities of São Paulo state, Brazil, from November 2015 to June 2017. We identified Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider), Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen), Ceraeochrysa paraguaria (Navás), Chrysoperla externa (Hagen), and Chrysoperla defreitasi Brooks species and those were equally abundant between conventional and organic management psyllid management programs. Ceraeochrysa cincta was predominant in both systems, representing more than 60% of all the specimens. They developed and reproduced successfully on the diet of D. citri nymphs when compared against Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs. The abundance of these multiple species and predominance and development of C. cincta on D. citri suggest their potential use for biological control of D. citri in organic and conventional psyllid management programs.

Toxicity of imidacloprid, fenpropathrin, and dimethoate to Ceraeochrysa cubana (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) through different exposure routes

Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is an important predator with potential use to control various agricultural pests, including Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). However, the indiscriminate use of insecticides may affect the performance of this lacewing, reducing its efficiency as a natural enemy. The goal of this study was to evaluate the lethal effect of imidacloprid, fenpropathrin, and dimethoate on C. cubana using different routes of exposure. Bioassays of topical, residual, ingestion, and residual + ingestion (simultaneous exposure) of the active ingredients on the lacewings were performed. The tolerance ratio (TR) was calculated from the lowest LC50 observed. In addition to the lethal effect, we also studied the repellent effect of imidacloprid and fenpropathrin on first instar larva of C. cubana when Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) eggs were treated with those insecticides. In the toxicity bioassay, the residual exposure of dimethoate was the most lethal (lower value of LC50), followed by residual + ingestion exposure of dimethoate and fenpropathrin. With topical exposure, insecticides had similar toxicity and TR was between 20.76 and 23.61-fold. Imidacloprid was not toxic via ingestion and residual exposure; consequently, we did not estimate LC50 in those cases. Ephestia kuehniella eggs treated with imidacloprid did not repel C. cubana larvae while those treated with fenpropathrin had a repellent effect. Dimethoate was toxic to C. cubana and it should be used with caution while imidacloprid has a lower lethal effect via residual and ingestion exposure and it does not have a repellent effect on C. cubana.

Temporal variation of Brown and Green Lacewings (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae and Chrysopidae) collected with McPhail traps from a fruit orchard in Southeast Brazil

This study was aimed at the identification of the Neuroptera (Insecta) obtained with McPhail traps in an orchard of native and exotic fruits in Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil (21°14’S / 48°17’W). Weekly sampling took place between May 2009 and April 2010. 187 specimens of Neuroptera were obtained: Nusalala tessellata (Gerstaecker, 1888) (Hemerobiidae) (176 specimens / 94.1% of the total), Leucochrysa cruentata (Schneider, 1851) (6 / 3.2%), Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen, 1861), Ceraeochrysa everes (Banks, 1920), Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861), Leucochrysa affinis Freitas & Penny, 2001 and Leucochrysa rodriguezi (Navás, 1913) (Chrysopidae) (1 / 0.5%, each species). Nusalala tessellata was the most abundant species, with the highest frequencies recorded in August 2009 and March 2010; such frequencies coincided with the fructification of Vangueria madagascariensis Gmelin (Rubiaceae) and Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Rutaceae), respectively. The use of McPhail traps can assist in the detection of beneficial insects in agroecosystems and establishment of better sustainable control measures.

Genetic Variability of Ceraeochrysa cincta, Ceraeochrysa claveri, and Ceraeochrysa cubana (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Populations in Agroecosystems of Southeast Brazil.

The species of the genus Ceraeochrysa, known as green lacewings or trash-carriers, are widely distributed along the Americas and its islands. In Brazil, 28 species are found, including Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider), Ceraeochrysa claveri (Navás), and Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen). These species are recorded on many crops, where they are often used for biological control. For this use, knowledge of the genetic features of the species is extremely important because they are associated to the species' ability to withstand different conditions in new environments, such as variations of temperature and presence of pathogens. However, little is known about the genetic features of Ceraeochrysa species. Here, we analyze and compare the distribution of the genetic variability of C. cincta, C. claveri, and C. cubana in agroecosystem populations of southeast Brazil. We found a high genetic diversity in each of the three species, and no strong genetic structure was detected, such that genetic diversity is broadly shared among the crops and localities analyzed. We can conclude that there was a high gene flow among the sampled Ceraeochrysa populations (natural or driven by anthropic action) since the exchange of seedlings among crops can lead to the distribution of the specimens.

Diversity and abundance of green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in a Conilon coffee plantation in Acre, Brazil

ABSTRACT Coffea canephora (Conilon coffee) has great economic importance for the state of Acre, in northern Brazil. The use of insecticides in this crop has increased considerably in recent years. In order to find species of green lacewing (Chrysopidae, Neuroptera) with potential for use in biological pest control in coffee plantations, we sampled green lacewings during one year in an experimental plantation of Conilon coffee in Acre, in order to assess the diversity, abundance and seasonal occurrence of Chrysopidae species. Samplings were carried out weekly using an entomological net. Overall, 1079 specimens of seven green lacewing species were collected: Ceraeochrysa cincta, Ceraeochrysa claveri, Ceraeochrysa cubana, Ceraeochrysa everes, Chrysoperla externa, Leucochrysa (Nodita) cruentata and Leucochrysa (Nodita) marquezi. Ceraeochrysa cubana was the dominant and constant species, comprising 97% of the sampled specimens and occurring in 82% of the weekly samples. The abundance and constant presence of C. cubana, which preys upon several agricultural pests and has shown resistance to various insecticides, make this species a potential candidate for future programs of biological control in Conilon coffee plantations in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon region.

Associative learning in immature lacewings (Ceraeochrysa cubana)

AbstractIt is known that many social insects and arthropod predators and parasitoids can learn the association between a resource and volatile cues. Although there are various studies on the effect of experience in immature arthropods on behavior later in adult life, not much is known about the effects of such experiences on immature behavior. This was investigated here in the lacewing Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Whereas adults of this lacewing feed on plant‐provided food and honeydew, larvae are voracious polyphagous predators of several insect pests, and therefore important for biological control. Hence, studying the foraging behavior and the effects of learning in immatures of this species is important. We exposed immatures to the volatile methyl salicylate (MeSA), which was either associated with food or with the absence of food. Subsequently, their response to this volatile was tested in an olfactometer. Immatures that had experienced the association of MeSA with food were attracted to it and immatures that were exposed to MeSA during food deprivation were repelled. Subsequently, predator immatures that had experienced the association between MeSA and food were released on a plant without food and were found to use this volatile in locating patches with food. In contrast, larvae without such experience were found equally on food patches with and without the volatile. We conclude that these immature predators are capable of learning the association between volatiles and food, or the absence of food, and use this during foraging.

Pest Management Systems and Insecticide Tolerance of Lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) are part of the beneficial fauna found in citrus orchards under both organic and conventional pest management. Due to their importance, knowledge about susceptibility of these predators to insecticides is a key element for their use as biological control agents. We studied the inter- and intraspecific susceptibility of the following lacewing species to bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, and imidacloprid: Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen), Ceraeochrysa paraguaria (Navás), and Chrysoperla externa (Hagen). Different concentrations of these insecticides were sprayed on first instar larvae of these lacewing species from six orchards (three organic and three conventional), and LC50s were estimated. Development and reproduction of the most common lacewing, C. cincta, from both organic and conventional management systems were also studied. Lacewings from conventional management areas do not always have greater tolerance to insecticides. Chrysoperla externa was the most susceptible species to insecticides. Ceraeochrysa cincta displayed the highest LC50 and its populations from the conventional system showed lower egg hatching but shorter egg and larval developmental time. Adults collected from orchards managed conventionally lived longer, exhibited a higher population growth rate and a reduced doubling time. Ceraeochrysa cincta was the more tolerant species to insecticides better coping with systems that rely on chemical control as the main pest management tactic used.

Lethal and Sublethal Toxicity of Insecticides to the Lacewing Ceraeochrysa Cubana.

The lethal and sublethal effects of 11 insecticides on the predator Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen) were assessed under laboratory conditions. First-instar larvae and adults ≤ 48h old were sprayed with the highest insecticides doses allowed to control Diaphorina citri Kuwayama in the citrus crop. The survival and duration rates of the different development stages, sex ratio, pre-oviposition period, fecundity, and fertility of the insects were evaluated. In the larval bioassay, chlorpyrifos and malathion had lethal effect which none larvae survived. Azadirachtin, lambda-cyhalothrin + chlorantraniliprole, lambda-cyhalothrin + thiamethoxam, and thiamethoxam had lethal and sublethal effects that did not allow to estimate the life table parameters because the low number of couples formed. Esfenvalerate, imidacloprid WG and SC, phosmet, and pyriproxyfen had sublethal effects which were reflected in the net reproductive rate and in the intrinsic rate of natural increase. In bioassay using adults, none of the individuals survived in the chlorpyrifos, lambda-cyhalothrin + chlorantraniliprole, lambda-cyhalothrin + thiamethoxam, malathion, or thiamethoxam treatments, and the azadirachtin, esfenvalerate, imidacloprid WG and SC, phosmet, and pyriproxyfen treatments were significantly lower compared to the control. None of the insecticides was harmless to first-instar larvae and adults of C. cubana under laboratory conditions showing their potential to reduce the efficiency of this predator.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) attracts and benefits the green lacewing Ceraeochrysa cubana Hagen

Aromatic plants can affect arthropod community composition and reduce herbivore populations by attracting beneficial insects such as generalist predators. To investigate the possible mechanisms underlying the attraction of aromatic plant species to natural enemies in the field, we assessed the attractiveness of Ocimum basilicum L. (basil), Mentha piperita L. (peppermint), Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) (Lamiaceae) and Cordia verbenacea DC (black sage) (Boraginaceae) to adults of the green lacewing Ceraeochrysa cubana Hagen (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), a generalist predator widely distributed across the Americas. Additionally, we tested whether access to leaves and flowers of these plant species would affect larval survival, development or oviposition by C. cubana. The green lacewing was attracted to basil but not to the other aromatic plants. Larvae and adults did not benefit from the presence of any plant leaves, but basil flowers enhanced C. cubana larval and adult survival. Basil can be recommended as a companion crop in conservation biological control programs, not only for its well-known negative effects on pests, but also for its attractiveness to generalist predatory insects such as C. cubana. Besides attracting adults, basil flowers benefit both larvae and adults, which is desirable for conservation biological control.

Susceptibility of Ceraeochrysa cubana larvae and adults to six insect growth-regulator insecticides

The impacts of six insect growth-regulators were assessed on the predator Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen) larvae and adults. Our results showed that diflubenzuron, lufenuron and pyriproxyfen caused 100% larva mortality, whereas buprofezin, methoxyfenozide and tebufenozide were similar to control treatment. In comparison to the control, buprofezin prolonged the duration of larval stage, while methoxyfenozide and tebufenozide reduced the predator larva development time. Buprofezin, methoxyfenozide and tebufenozide did not affect the C. cubana duration and survival of pupal stage, fecundity and fertility. However, methoxyfenozide and tebufenozide reduced predator female and male longevities. Based on a reduction coefficient, diflubenzuron, lufenuron and pyriproxyfen were highly harmful to first instar larvae, while buprofezin, methoxyfenozide and tebufenozide were considered slightly harmful to the predator. Estimating the life table parameters, our results showed that buprofezin, methoxyfenozide and tebufenozide reduced the C. cubana Ro, r and λ. In comparison to the control, buprofezin prolonged the T and methoxyfenozide and tebufenozide shortened the predator T. In adults, our results showed that the insecticides did not cause significant mortality, but diflubenzuron, lufenuron and pyriproxyfen reduced the C. cubana fecundity and longevity. Diflubenzuron and lufenuron also reduced the C. cubana fertility. Based on a reduction coefficient, diflubenzuron and lufenuron were highly harmful to C. cubana adults, while pyriproxyfen was slightly harmful and buprofezin, methoxyfenozide and tebufenozide were considered harmless to the predator. Therefore, insect growth-regulators affect the C. cubana biological or populational parameters, and they can harm the integrated pest management programs that aim the predator conservation and/or augmentation in agroecosystems.

Life history parameters and feeding preference of the green lacewing Ceraeochrysa cubana fed with virus-free and potato leafroll virus-infected Myzus persicae

The sap-feeding aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) causes significant damage to potato crops and is a main transmitter of potato leafroll virus (PLRV). The lacewing Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen.1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a natural predator of the aphid and an important biological control agent. The aim of this study was to determine whether the biological characteristics and feeding preferences of the predator are modified by PLRV-infected aphids. The larval and pupal stages of lacewings fed on PLRV-free M. persicae were prolonged in comparison with those of predators provided with PLRV-infected aphids or eggs of Ephestia kuehniella, although larval, pupal and adult predator survivals were not affected significantly by dietary regime. Ingestion of PLRV-infected aphids reduced the proportion of fertile female lacewings and increased their pre-oviposition period, but had no effect on fecundity or egg viability. In laboratory bioassays, the predator showed no preference for PLRV-infected or PLRV-free aphids.

Olfactory response of four aphidophagous insects to aphid- and caterpillar-induced plant volatiles

Plants damaged by herbivores emit blends of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that attract the herbivore’s natural enemies. Most work has focussed on systems involving one plant, one herbivore and one natural enemy, though, in nature, plants support multiple herbivores and multiple natural enemies of these herbivores. Our study aimed to understand how different aphid natural enemies respond to aphid-induced VOCs, and whether attraction of the natural enemies that responded to aphid-induced VOCs was altered by simultaneous damage by a chewing herbivore. We used a model system based on Brassica juncea (Brassicaceae), Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Ceraeochrysa cubana (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) did not show preferences for any plant odour, while Cycloneda sanguinea (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) responded to undamaged plants over air but not to aphid-damaged plants over undamaged plants. Therefore, no further tests were carried out with these two species. Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) preferred aphid-damaged plants, but not caterpillar-damaged plants, over undamaged plants, and preferred plants damaged by both herbivores over both undamaged plants and aphid-damaged plants. When tested for responses against undamaged plants, Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) preferred aphid-damaged plants but not plants damaged by caterpillars. Plants damaged by both herbivores attracted more parasitoids than undamaged plants, but not more than aphid-damaged plants. Thus, multiply damaged plants were equally attractive to A. colemani and more attractive to C. externa than aphid-damaged plants, while C. cubana and C. sanguinea did not respond to aphid-induced VOCs, highlighting how different natural enemies can have different responses to herbivore-damaged plants.

Species of Chrysopidae (Neuroptera) associated to trellised tomato crops in two cities of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

This research aimed to investigate the diversity of species of lacewings (Chrysopidae) associated to trellised tomato crops in the counties of Cambuci and Seropédica, in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Eggs and adults of chrysopids were collected, manually and by oral suction device, respectively, in Cambuci (commercial farming) and Seropédica (experimental farming). Four species were obtained: Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider, 1851), Ceraeochrysa sp1., Chrysopodes elongatus (Freitas; Penny, 2001) and Chrysopodes sp1. in the experimental farming in Seropédica, while in the commercial farming in Cambuci only two species were found: Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) and Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen, 1861).

English

The aim of this study was to explore the diversity of lacewings in two coffee (Coffea arabica L.) cropping systems, located in the southwestern region of Bahia State, Brazil, and to study the structure of their communities and the seasonal occurrence of the species. These studies were conducted from December 2003 to November 2004, with coffee plants that were either shaded or unshaded by silky oak trees (Grevillea robusta A. Cunn.) at a property located in the municipality of Barra do Choça, Bahia State. Monthly collections were carried out with insect nets and traps baited with mango juice and hydrolyzed protein. The characterization of the Chrysopidae community was calculated by faunal indices, relative frequency, constancy, dominance, richness and diversity. The study on the species seasonal occurrence was conducted with the total number of specimens within each collection time and sampling. In order to assess the effects of climatic factors, only species classified as constant were considered. The occurrence of the following 15 species, in association with coffee plants, was recorded: Ceraeochrysa cubana, Ceraeochrysa cincta, Ceraeochrysa dislepis, Ceraeochrysa everes, Chrysoperla externa, Chrysopodes spinella, Leucochrysa guataparensis, Leucochrysa cruentata, Leucochrysa intermedia, Leucochrysa rodriguezi, Leucochrysa santini, Leucochrysa scomparini, Leucochrysa cidae, Leucochrysa annae and Leucochrysa sp.4. There was a considerable difference in community structures regarding the occurrence of different species and abundance of individuals. The species C. cincta, L. guataparensis, L. cidae and L. sp.4 occurred exclusively on shaded coffee plants, while L. cruentata, L. intermedia, L. scomparini and L. annae were found only on unshaded plants. On the other hand, C. externa and L. rodriguezi stood out in both environments. C. externa was the most frequent and dominant species in both cropping systems, as it was considered constant on unshaded coffee plants and accessory on shaded plants. C. everes, C. externa and C. spinella occur during the day; C. cincta, C. dislepis, L. guataparensis, L. rodriguezi, L. cidae, L. cruentata, L. intermedia, L. santini, L. scomparini and L. annae occur during the night; and only the species C. cuban was collected during both the day and night.   Key words: Faunal analysis, biodiversity, Coffea arabica, predator.

Seletividade fisiológica de inseticidas em duas espécies de crisopídeos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a seletividade de inseticidas recentemente lançados no mercado para o controle de pragas na cultura dos citros, em adultos de Chrysoperla externa e Ceraeochrysa cubana. Os produtos utilizados e as respectivas dosagens em g L-1 de i.a. foram: tiametoxam 200 WG, 0,05; imidacloprido 700 WG, 0,07; milbemectina 50 CE, 0,008; piriproxifem 100 CE, 0,075; e espirodiclofeno 240 SC, 0,06. Em cada tratamento, 11 casais de C. externa e 13 de C. cubana, com idade de até 24 horas, foram submetidos à aplicação dos inseticidas e de água (testemunha), por meio de torre de Potter. A mortalidade dos adultos, a capacidade de oviposição num período de oito semanas e a viabilidade dos ovos foram avaliadas. O tiametoxam foi classificado como nocivo a C. externa; o imidacloprido como moderadamente nocivo e os demais inseticidas como inócuos. Para C. cubana, o tiametoxam foi considerado nocivo, o espirodiclofeno foi levemente nocivo e os demais produtos foram inócuos. Os produtos milbemectina, piriproxifem e espirodiclofeno podem ser recomendados em programas de manejo integrado de pragas visando à manutenção dessas espécies de artrópodes benéficos em áreas de citricultura.

Green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) associated with Melon Crop in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil

A survey of the green lacewings associated with the melon agroecosystem was carried out with the aim of including lacewings into the integrated management program of melon pests. Three species of this predator were found: Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen), Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) and Chrysoperla genanigra Freitas. A key to these species is presented.

Prothoracic Gland Semiochemicals of Green Lacewings

Adult chrysopids have paired prothoracic glands (PG) that are thought to produce defensive secretions (allomones). We analyzed PG extracts of the following green lacewings from North and South America, Australia, and China: Ceraeochrysa cubana (Brazil); Chrysopa (= Co.) oculata, Co. nigricornis, Co. incompleta, Co. quadripunctata (USA), and Co. septempunctata (China); Chrysoperla (= Cl.) rufilabris (USA) and Cl. sp. (Brazil); Plesiochrysa ramburi and Mallada spp. (Australia). PG secretions are characteristic for species within a genus, except for Chrysopa spp. (Z)-4-Tridecene is ubiquitous, but (Z,Z)-4,7-tridecadiene is a major PG constituent in some Chrysopa spp. and in P. ramburi. Earlier reports that Co. oculata and Co. nigricornis produce 1-tridecene were shown to be in error. Chrysopa PG secretions are distinguished by the presence or absence of N-3-methylbutylacetamide, plus skatole (3-methylindole). Skatole is also identified for the first time from the Plesiochrysa and Ceraeochrysa. The PG secretion in Plesiochrysa ramburi is characterized by the presence of (Z)-4-undecene instead of (Z)-4-tridecene, and N-3-methylbutylpropanamide instead of the acetamide, resembling the PG secretions of Chrysopa nigricornis, Co. septempunctata and Co. incompleta. The chemotaxonomic value of PG semiochemicals is discussed, including evidence for subgroups within the genus Chrysopa as it now stands.

Storage of Lacewing Eggs: Post-storage Hatching and Quality of Subsequent Larvae and Adults

Abstract To facilitate short-term storage for the production, distribution, and release of subtropical or tropical lacewings, we evaluated the life-history consequences of exposing eggs to moderately low temperatures. We tested three Neotropical species: Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen), C. smithi (Navas), and Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). For each species we subjected eggs of four different age groups to five temperatures between 4.5 and 15.6°C for 3 weeks, and we recorded the timing and incidence of hatching, post-storage larval molts, cocoon spinning, pupal molts, the preoviposition period, imaginal survival for 30 days after emergence, the number of eggs laid during the first 15 days of oviposition, and egg fertility. The results show that the temperature range for successfully storing eggs of the two Ceraeochrysa spp. is narrow and relatively high (∼14 days at ∼15.6°C), whereas that for Chrysoperla externa is considerably broader (∼14 to 21 days at 10 to 15.6°C, respectively). For all three species, immatures (larvae and pupae) from stored eggs developed slightly but significantly slower (by 0.4–1.6 days) than those from unstored eggs, and for Chrysoperla externa stored at 10 and 12.8°C, survival of late instars was reduced by 30–40%. Storage of the two Ceraeochrysa spp. did not affect any of the measures of post-storage reproductive success. In contrast, C. externa showed a lengthening of the preoviposition period in adults reared from eggs stored at 10°C. The results indicate that newly laid eggs of the three species can be held without hatching for approximately 2 weeks at 15.6°C and that storage of C. externa eggs can be extended to 3 weeks at 12.8°C. These regimens offer short-term storage capability and relatively good post-storage quality.