Chrysopidae Research Articles

Predation efficiency of the green lacewings Chrysoperla agilis and C. mutata against aphids and mealybugs in sweet pepper.

Chrysoperla species include well-known predators of aphids and other soft-bodied arthropods. As such, they are considered important biological control agents of herbivorous pests in agroecosystems where many of green lacewings species occur. Despite the high number of species of the genus Chrysoperla, only a few have been assessed for the predation efficiency of their larvae against pests infesting plants, and even fewer are currently marketed for use in biocontrol practice. Difficulties in species identification within the Chrysoperla carnea complex species in particular has been related to varying success of commercial C. carnea s.l. releases in the field. In this study, we assessed the ability of two Chrysoperla species, Chrysoperla agilis a member of the carnea cryptic species group, and Chrysoperla mutata of the pudica group to consume aphid and mealybug individuals and suppress their populations in sweet pepper plants. We found that third-instar larvae of both species were able to consume a high number of aphids (approximately 120 nymphs per larva) and mealybugs (approximately 105 nymphs per larva) within 24 h. Furthermore, the release of second-instar larvae of both C. agilis and C. mutata was shown to be remarkably efficient in suppressing the pest populations in long-term greenhouse experiments. Aphid populations were suppressed by approximately 98% and mealybugs by 78% as compared to control plants. Our results highlight the predation efficiency and the biocontrol potential of two widespread Chrysoperla species for their use in pest control.

Compatibility of the bacterial entomopathogen Pseudomonas protegens with the natural predator Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

The susceptibility of the green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea to the soil-dwelling bacterial entomopathogen Pseudomonas protegens CHA0 was investigated in this study. Laboratory bioassays were conducted on larval instars exposed to different bacterial concentrations by both direct feeding and indirectly by offering a pre-treated insect prey. Potential toxicity was assessed through dose-response bioassays, while possible sublethal effects were evaluated on immature development time and the reproductive performance (fecundity) of adults emerging from treated juveniles. As a result, no significant effects were observed on larval survival and development in a comparison between treated and untreated (control) groups. No significant impact on adult emergence and no detrimental effects on female fecundity were detected. Everything considered, the use of P. protegens in the agroecosystem appears to be compatible with chrysopids.

The green lacewings of Pakistan (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): a faunal review with new records of genera and species.

A review of the present knowledge on the taxonomy and distribution of the green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from Pakistan is presented. So far, 19 species are known to occur in Pakistan including three species newly recorded, i.e., Italochrysa aequalis (Walker, 1853), Italochrysa everetti (van der Weele, 1909), and Tumeochrysa indica Needham, 1909. In addition, there are five undetermined species of Apertochrysa Tjeder, 1966 not determined in this paper. We here describe/re-describe 16 species of the 24 Pakistani green lacewing species. Two new combinations are proposed: Apertochrysa murreensis (Tjeder, 1963) comb. nov., and Apertochrysa vartianorum (Hlzel, 1973) comb. nov. The genus Tumeochrysa Needham, 1909 is recorded for the first time in Pakistan. Identification keys are provided to all known genera and species that occur in Pakistan. Additionally, for each species, taxonomic notes, diagnosis, a complete list of synonyms, and distribution maps are provided.

Response of Natural Enemies toward Selective Chemical Insecticides; Used for the Integrated Management of Insect Pests in Cotton Field Plots

Sucking pests of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), such as thrips, or Thrips tabaci Lindeman, and jassid, or Amrasca biguttula Ishida, are among the most threatening insect pests to young cotton plants in Pakistan. New chemical insecticides have been trialed to control their damage in commercial fields. Formulations that show good suppression of these pest’s populations, while sparing bio-controlling agents, are always preferred for obtaining better crop yield. Six different commercially available insecticides, namely Fountain® (fipronil and imidacloprid), Movento Energy® (spirotetramat and imidacloprid), Oshin® (dinotefuran), Concept Plus® (pyriproxyfen, fenpyroximate, and acephate), Maximal® (nitenpyram), and Radiant® (spinetoram) were evaluated in the present study to shortlist the best available insecticide against targeted pests. Harmful impacts of selected insecticides were also evaluated against naturally occurring predators, such as spiders and green lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea). Radiant® (spinetoram) and Movento Energy®, respectively, were best at controlling thrips (with 61% and 56% mortality, respectively) and jassid (62% and 57% mortality, respectively) populations during 2018 and 2019. Radiant® proved itself as the best option and showed minimal harmful effects on both major arthropod predators of cotton fields i.e., spiders (with 8–9% mortality) and green lacewings (with 12–16% mortality). Movento Energy® also showed comparatively less harmful effects (with 15–18% mortality) towards natural predatory fauna of cotton crops, as compared to other selective insecticides used in the study. The findings of current study suggest that the judicious use of target-oriented insecticides can be an efficient and predator-friendly management module in cotton fields. However, the impact of these chemicals is also depended on their timely application, keeping in consideration the ETL of pests and the population of beneficial arthropods.

A new green lacewing species of the extinct subfamily Limaiinae (Insecta: Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from the mid-Cretaceous of Myanmar

Chrysopidae (green lacewings) is one of the species-rich families of Neuroptera. The Cretaceous fossils of green lacewing currently comprise 11 genera and 26 species. Here we describe a new green lacewing species, Mesypochrysa coadnata sp. nov., from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber of northern Myanmar. The new species belongs to the extinct subfamily Limaiinae and is characterized by the RP with seven zigzagged branches, the forewing CuA with four pectinate branches, and the hind wing CuA with three pectinate branches. The exquisite preservation of the new fossils facilitates the understanding of the genital morphology of the Mesozoic green lacewings.

Risk Assessment of the Biological Control Product «Gulløyelarver» with the Active Organism Chrysoperla Carnea

Gulløyelarver (green lacewing larvae, Chrysoperla carnea) is a product for biological control. The application is for use against aphids in green-houses and tunnels.
 Gulløyelarver was used in Norway from 1985-1993. An assessment in 2001 concluded however that the use of products with Chrysoperla carnea could represent an environmental risk since it was not known if the species in the products were the same as the ones with natural occurrence in Scandinavia.
 In this regard, The Norwegian Food Safety Authority would like VKM to perform an assessment of possible risks related to health and environment in light of possible new data.
 VKM’s conclusions are as follows:
 Health:
 The larvae of Chrysoperla carnea have hollow jaws through which they can inject digestive enzymes into their prey. In contact with humans, the larvae are capable of delivering painful bites which may cause local swelling. Such bites are however not considered dangerous, and can be avoided with preventive measures.
 Allergic asthma and rhino conjunctivitis has been reported in persons working in the production of biological agents with Chrysoperla carnea, but it is the opinion of VKM that such effects are not likely to be relevant for users of the agents.
 Environment:
 A previous assessment in 2001 concluded that the use of products with Chrysoperla carnea represented an environmental risk because of the risk of genetic interference with natural populations of the species in Norway.
 Lacewings belonging to the Chrysoperla carnea complex are considered established and indigenous in Norway, and a recent study by the Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research (Bioforsk) strongly suggests that the lacewings in the commercial products belong to the same cryptic species complex as individuals sampled in Norway. In case the species in the products is different from those present in Norway, any genetic interference with local populations in Norway is prevented by differences in duetting songs.
 If an invertebrate biological control agent is indigenous and has limited direct or indirect effect on the environment, it is the opinion of VKM that it could be authorized for release in greenhouses or plastic tunnels.
 Chrysoperla carnea is polyphagous and cannibalistic. They prefer aphids, but may also consume other insects and mites. It is however the opinion of VKM that the environmental risk from this will be minimized in greenhouses and tunnels where the release will be in a contained environment and directed against aphid colonies.
 Establishment, host range and dispersal ability should be carefully reviewed, even if the species is indigenous. Chrysoperla carnea may establish in the greenhouse and plastic tunnels and may also possess the ability to disperse and survive in the field. However, it is the opinion of VKM that the direct and indirect effects of this are at most moderate, although it cannot be completely excluded that Chrysoperla carnea species in the products might also have properties that have not been reviewed.

The green lacewing Chrysopa formosa as a potential biocontrol agent for managing Spodoptera frugiperda and Spodoptera litura.

Understanding predator-prey interactions is essential for successful pest management by using predators, especially for the suppression of novel invasive pest. The green lacewing Chrysopa formosa is a promising polyphagous predator that is widely used in the biocontrol of various pests in China, but information on the control efficiency of this predator against the seriously invasive pest Spodoptera frugiperda and native Spodoptera litura is limited. Here we evaluated the predation efficiency of C. formosa adults on eggs and first- to third-instar larvae of S. frugiperda and S. litura through functional response experiments and determined the consumption capacity and prey preference of this chrysopid. Adults of C. formosa had a high consumption of eggs and earlier instar larvae of both prey species, and displayed a type II functional response on all prey stages. Attack rates of the chrysopid on different prey stages were statistically similar, but the handling time increased notably as the prey developed. The highest predation efficiency and shortest-handling time were observed for C. formosa feeding on Spodoptera eggs, followed by the first-instar larvae. C. formosa exhibited a significant preference for S. litura over S. frugiperda in a two-prey system. In addition, we summarized the functional response and predation efficiency of several chrysopids against noctuid pests and made a comparison with the results obtained from C. formosa. These results indicate that C. formosa has potential as an agent for biological control of noctuid pests, particularly for the newly invasive pest S. frugiperda in China.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT NATURAL MIXED MEDIA ON THE BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GREEN LACEWING Chrysoperla carnea (STEPHENS)

The experiments were carried out in the laboratories of the mass rearing units of biological enemies Plant Protection Directorate / Ministry of Agriculture /Abu Ghraib in order to study the effect of different nutritional mixtures of media on some biological charecters of the adult predator Chrysoperla carnea(stephens). The results showed that the highest egg laying was obtained at the mixture (0.5 g yeast + 1.5 g Spirulina + 4g Honey + 0.5 Ml Water), reached to 881.33 eggs / female. In addition, the feeding on the mixture (0.5 g Spirulina + 4g Honey + 0.5 Ml Water) showed a positive effect in the incubation period of eggs, with an average of 3.54 days. The feeding on the mixture (0.5 g Ganoderma + 4g Honey + 0.5 Ml Water) resulted in better egg hatching ratio, reaching to 93.33%. A positive effect was shown with females’ survival when fed on the mixture (0.5 g yeast + 1.5 g Spirulina + 4g Honey + 0.5 Ml Water), the average longevity was 54 days. The longest male longevity was 36 days recorded at the mixed media of (0.5 g yeast + 1.5 g Spirulina + 4g Honey + 0.5 Ml Water). Longest post oviposition period was 5 days recorded at the mixed media of (1.5 g Spirulina + 4g Honey + 0.5 Ml Water). The longest period of eggs laying was at the mixture (Spiro Lina 1.5 g + yeast 0.5 g + honey 4 g + sterile distilled water 0.5 ml) was (46.47) days. Result indicated that some of the mixed media have a positive effect on the performance of aphid lion therefore; these combinations can be used in the quantitative mass rearing of the predator aphid lion.

Impact of woody semi-natural habitats on the abundance and diversity of green lacewings in olive orchards

Habitat management is a conservation biological control technique which helps to reduce the use of inputs in olive orchards and also to improve sustainability. Recent studies of olive orchards have pointed out that vegetation cover, which provides food resources, as well as reproduction and refuge sites, increases Chrysopidae populations and diversity. However, little is known about the effect of woody semi-natural habitats (SNHs) in olive orchards. In this context, our study aims to determine the attraction of adult Chrysopidae to different tree species in SNHs adjacent to olive orchards in order to promote the conservation biological control of this key predator. We vacuumed 75 almond, oak, olive and pine trees fortnightly between April and October of 2016. The trees were chosen at random and evenly distributed among five organic olive orchards selected according to their availability. Oak trees recorded the highest abundance, species richness and diversity levels of adult Chrysopidae, while olive trees had the highest abundance of Chrysopidae larvae. A total of 20 green lacewing species, belonging to seven different genera, were collected, of which Chrysoperla mutata (McLachlan, 1898), Chrysoperla pallida Henry et al., 2002 and Pseudomallada (prasinus) pp3 (Duelli and Henry, 2020) were the most abundant during the period of the study and had a preference for olive trees (C. mutata and C. pallida) and oak trees P. (prasinus) pp3. Furthermore, the number of Chrysopidae larvae collected showed a positive correlation with the percentage of predated eggs in the anthophagous and carpophagous generations of Prays oleae.

Notes on the green lacewing subgenus Chrysopidia (s. str.) Navás, 1910 (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae), with description of a new species from China.

A taxonomic study of the green lacewing subgenus Chrysopidia (s. str.) from China is presented. Based on the examination of type specimens of the genus reported by previous Chinese scholars and the line drawings of Chrysopidiamanipurensis provided by Ghosh (1990), I proposed five new combinations: Apertochrysaplatypa (Yang & Yang, 1990), comb. nov., Apertochrysayangi (Yang, 1997), comb. nov., Apertochrysashennongana (Yang & Wang, 1990), comb. nov., Apertochrysazhaoi (Yang & Wang, 1990), comb. nov., and Apertochrysamanipurensis (Ghosh, 1990), comb. nov. As for Chrysopidiasinica Yang & Wang, 1990, I still treat it as a valid species until supplementary specimens are available because the gonarcal complex of the type specimen is missing. A new species Chrysopidia (Chrysopidia) tjederisp. nov. is also described based on new materials. A key to all known species of this subgenus is also provided.

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

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

Aphid DNA detection by molecular gut content analysis in a natural enemy consuming honeydew

AbstractIn agroecosystems, understanding of predator–prey interactions are a prerequisite for the use of natural enemies of pest arthropods. Molecular gut content analyses using prey‐specific primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been widely developed to identify the essential natural enemies of pests. However, these techniques may include uncertainties: interactions other than predation between the studied organisms and pests could result in the detection of the pest DNA in the gut of a supposed predator. Here, we tested whether the DNA of aphids was detectable in their honeydew and in gut content samples of a natural enemy that had consumed honeydew but had never contacted the aphids. We used the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and larvae of the green lacewing Mallada desjardinsi (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) that prey on aphids and suck honeydew. By using specific primers for the aphid, we detected that 79.2% of honeydew samples tested positive for the aphid DNA. Aphid DNA was detected in 36.7% of lacewing larvae that had consumed honeydew, in the absence of direct contact between lacewing larvae and aphids. Evaluation of aphid predation by DNA‐based gut content analysis, therefore, carries the risk of determining that an arthropod has preyed on aphids when, in fact, it has not. We believe that PCR results should be interpreted with caution when estimating predation.

A novel prospect for an oviposition attraction of Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) for its population upsurge

BackgroundAttraction and oviposition preference of the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), in response to prey availability in an ovipositional site was studied. The study aimed to investigate whether an adult attraction of C. carnea to oviposition on the substrate was affected by aphid juice (AJ) of fresh brassica aphid, Brevicoryne brassica.ResultIn laboratory bioassay, the number of eggs laid by female was significantly higher on AJ-treated area of substrate than control, indicating that oviposition was influenced by the AJ application. Attraction period of AJ lasted for 4 days. In Y-maze olfactometer studies, video tracking software ANY-maze® indicated that C. carnea spent significant more time in the novel arm provided with AJ, showing an attraction. In the greenhouse study, AJ spray attracted a significantly higher number of male and female and considerably increased the number of eggs laid on brassica plant.ConclusionFresh AJ may be a potential attractant for raising population of this predatory species at a particular location without being involved in rearing and augmentation process. This finding is of special interest and may be of benefit in biological control. As it is likely that the AJ spray could be used to enhance C. carnea population attraction to the desire field.

A revision of Chrysopidae (Neuroptera) from the late Eocene Florissant Formation, Colorado, with description of new species.

The green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) of the late Eocene Florissant Formation (Colorado, USA) are revised. Thirteen species in six genera of Nothochrysinae are recognized, including four new species: Archaeochrysa cockerelli sp. nov., Cimbrochrysa americana sp. nov., C. major sp. nov., and Lithochrysa meyeri sp. nov. The validity of the genus Dyspetochrysa Adams, 1967 is tenuous; it might be a synonym of Archaeochrysa Adams, 1967. Lithochrysa Carpenter, 1935 and L. ferruginea (Cockerell, 1909) are considered a valid genus and species. A lectotype and paralectotype of Tribochrysa firmata Scudder, 1890 are designated. The genus Cimbrochrysa Schlter, 1982 is recorded from North America for the first time. Eocene chrysopid assemblages are briefly analyzed. The late Eocene Florissant assemblage is less diverse than those of early Eocene North America, and greatly differs from late Eocene European assemblages.

Overlooked lacewings in biological control: The brown lacewing Micromus angulatus and the green lacewing Chrysopa formosa suppress aphid populations in pepper

AbstractLacewings are important natural enemies of soft‐bodied arthropods. Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae in particular include promising biological control agents of key agricultural pests. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of larvae and adults of the brown lacewing Micromus angulatus and the green lacewing Chrysopa formosa in controlling the green peach aphid Myzus persicae under laboratory conditions. We found that the release of the first instar larvae of both species at the rate of 2 or 10 individuals per pepper plant was effective in reducing the populations of M. persicae, irrespectively of the initial pest infestation pressure, i.e., 10 or 20 aphids per plant. The brown lacewing larvae at the highest release rate managed to completely eliminate the aphids from the pepper plants within two weeks following release. Adult lacewings of both species released at a rate of one to two females per plant were also effective in drastically reducing of M. persicae populations. Our results highlight the potential of these two widespread but overlooked lacewing species for use in biological pest control.

The Diversity of Aphidlion-like Larvae over the Last 130 Million Years.

Simple SummaryThe larvae of green lacewings and brown lacewings are called ‘aphidlions’, as they consume aphids. They play also an economic role as biological pest control. Aphidlions have, mostly, elongated spindle-shaped bodies, and similarly to most lacewing larvae, they possess a pair of venom-injecting compound jaws, also called stylets. Fossils that have been interpreted as aphidlions are known from amber of different ages (about 130, 100, 35, and 15 million years old). In this study, new aphidlion-like larvae are reported from about 100 million-year-old amber from Myanmar and about 35 million-year-old Baltic amber. The shapes of head and stylets were compared between the different time slices. With the newly described fossils and specimens from the literature, a total of 361 specimens could be included in the analysis: 78 fossil larvae, 188 extant larvae of brown lacewings, and 95 extant larvae of green lacewings. The results indicate that the diversity of head shapes stays about the same over time besides a certain increase in diversity of the head shapes in brown lacewing larvae. In certain other lacewings, a distinct decrease in the diversity of head shapes was observed in the larvae.Aphidlions are larvae of certain lacewings (Neuroptera), and more precisely larvae of the groups Chrysopidae, green lacewings, and Hemerobiidae, brown lacewings. The name ‘aphidlion’ originates from their ecological function as specialised predators of aphids. Accordingly, they also play an economic role as biological pest control. Aphidlions have, mostly, elongated spindle-shaped bodies, and similarly to most lacewing larvae they are equipped with a pair of venom-injecting stylets. Fossils interpreted as aphidlions are known to be preserved in amber from the Cretaceous (130 and 100 million years ago), the Eocene (about 35 million years ago) and the Miocene (about 15 million years ago) ages. In this study, new aphidlion-like larvae are reported from Cretaceous amber from Myanmar (about 100 million years old) and Eocene Baltic amber. The shapes of head and stylets were compared between the different time slices. With the newly described fossils and specimens from the literature, a total of 361 specimens could be included in the analysis: 70 specimens from the Cretaceous, 5 from the Eocene, 3 from the Miocene, 188 extant larvae of Chrysopidae, and 95 extant larvae of Hemerobiidae. The results indicate that the diversity of head shapes remains largely unchanged over time, yet there is a certain increase in the diversity of head shapes in the larvae of Hemerobiidae. In certain other groups of Neuroptera, a distinct decrease in the diversity of head shapes in larval stages was observed.

Releasing Two Important Insect Predators to Control of Aphids under Open-field and Greenhouse Conditions

Background: Aphids are noxious and serious persistent insect pests in the open-fields and greenhouses worldwide. Many entomologists have studied the possibility of aphid control by applying ladybirds and green lacewings at different releasing rates either under open-field or under greenhouse conditions.
 Study period: All experiments were conducted within June-July 2018 in two different fields.
 Methodology: Releasing ladybird in open field and under greenhouse condition in the rates of 1:50, 1:100, and 1:200 (predator: aphid) to control aphid infestation. In addition, releasing lacewings in rates of 1:5, 1:10, and 1:20 (predator: aphid) to control aphis in open fields
 Results: The outcome data clarified that releasing 3rd instar larvae of Coccinella undecimpunctata Linnaeus at the rate of 1 larva:50 aphid was more effective than 1:100 or 1:200 rates for controlling Aphis gossypii Glover population in Okra field; achieving more than 90% reduction in the aphid population within 15 days. Under the greenhouse conditions, releasing ladybird adults at 3 successive rates (200, 100 & 50 adults) for every 150 plants induced a significant reduction in Aphis fabae Scopoli,1763 infesting soybean; gaining 89.47% reduction within 2 weeks.
 When Chrysoperla carnea Stephens 2nd instar larvae were released at rates of 1:5, 1:10, and 1:20 (predator: aphid), it was noticed that the first-rate was the most effective one, inducing 98.93% reduction in aphid’s population; while the two other rates gave less reduction. Additionally, in the case of double releases of the same species, reduction percentage at the rate of 1:5 reached 99.63%, which emphasizes that it was the most effective ratio. The other rates induced 97.05 and 95.64% reduction. Generally, a double release was more effective in all tested rates than the single one, because of the cumulative existence of the predators in large numbers at the same period of the experiment.
 Conclusion: It could be concluded that utilizing insect predators (Coccinella undecimpunctata and/or Chrysoperla carnea) at an early larval stage or C. undecimpunctata as newly emerged adults were sufficient to reduce the aphids’ populations, both under open fields and greenhouses conditions.

Symbiont-conferred immunity interacts with effects of parasitoid genotype and intraguild predation to affect aphid immunity in a clone-specific fashion

BackgroundHost-parasite interactions represent complex co-evolving systems in which genetic and associated phenotypic variation within a species can significantly affect selective pressures on traits, such as host immunity, in the other. While often modelled as a two-species interaction between host and parasite, some systems are more complex due to effects of host enemies, intraguild predation, and endosymbionts, all of which affect host immunity. However, it remains unclear how these factors, combined with genetic variation in the host and the parasitoid, affect host immunity. We address this question in an important agricultural pest system, the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, which shows significant intraspecific variability in immunity to the parasitoid wasp Aphidius ervi. In a complex experiment, we use a quantitative genetic design in the parasitoid, two ecologically different aphid lineages and the aphid lion Chrysoperla carnea as an intraguild predator to unravel the complex interdependencies.ResultsWe demonstrate that aphid immunity as a key trait of this complex host-parasite system is affected by intraspecific genetic variation in the parasitoid and the aphid, the interaction of intraspecific genetic variation with intraguild predation, and differences in defensive endosymbionts between aphid lineages. Further, aphid lineages differ in their altruistic behaviour whereby infested aphids move away from the clonal colony to facilitate predation.ConclusionsOur findings provide new insights into the influence of endosymbiosis and genetic variability in an important host-parasitoid system which is influenced by natural enemies of the parasitoid and the aphid, including its endosymbiont communities. We show that endosymbiosis can mediate or influence the evolutionary arms race between aphids and their natural enemies. The outcome of these complex interactions between species has significant implications for understanding the evolution of multitrophic systems, including eco-agricultural settings.

Diet breadth of the aphid predator Chrysoperla rufilabris Burmeister (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

The performance (development and reproduction) of generalist predators can vary greatly among the prey species that they use, and these differences can influence the ability of predatory insects to suppress pest populations. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of larvae of the green lacewing Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister, 1839) by offering 16 species of aphids and by assessing the effects of each species on the survival, larval development time, prey consumption, pupal mass and egg load of adult Chr. rufilabris females taking aphid phylogeny into account. Chrysoperla rufilabris larvae preyed on individuals from all 16 aphid species, but complete development, adult emergence and egg load production were achieved only in seven species. As a general pattern, the best levels of performance were achieved for an aphid clade that includes the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines (Matsumara, 1917), and for a milkweed-feeding species, Myzocallis asclepiadis (Monell, 1879). We found significant phylogenetic clustering for most of the performance traits indicating the aspects of specialization in the diet breadth of Chr. rufilabris despite the fact that this species is considered a generalist aphid predator. These findings can help us to understand the interactions of this species in agroecological food webs, where it is commonly found, and provide insights into why natural, conservation biological control or augmentative releases may succeed or fail.

Vegetation increases abundances of ground and canopy arthropods in Mediterranean vineyards

The decline of arthropod populations observed in many parts of the world is a major component of the sixth mass extinction with intensive agriculture being one of its main drivers. Biodiversity-friendly farming practices are taking centre stage in the recovery process. In vineyards, vegetation cover is commonly used for production purposes, to reduce soil compaction by machinery use and soil erosion. Here we examined the effects of vegetation cover and soil management on the abundance of ground- (spiders, beetles, Hemiptera and harvestmen) and canopy-dwelling (wild bees, green lacewings, beetles and Hemiptera) arthropods in three categories of vineyards: (i) vineyards with no vegetation, (ii) partially vegetated (every second inter-row is vegetated) and (iii) all inter-rows are vegetated. We recorded a general positive effect of a decrease in soil perturbation intensity and corresponding higher vegetation cover on arthropod abundance. Plant species richness was the most important vegetation parameter, with a positive effect on spiders, harvestmen, hemipterans and beetles (ground and canopy) abundances. Using a path analysis, we also highlighted the central role of inter-row vegetation management in trophic and non-trophic relationships between vegetation and arthropods, and between arthropod groups. Our results demonstrate the benefits of a softer soil management preserving a diverse vegetation cover for the conservation of arthropods in Mediterranean vineyards.