Can larval lacewings Chrysoperla externa (Hagen): (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) be reared on pollen?

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Can larval lacewings Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) be reared on pollen? The aim of this study was to verify the viability of exclusive use of elephant grass pollen, Pennisetum purpureum (Schum), to feed larvae of the lacewing Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861). The insects were kept at 24ºC and the duration and survival rate of each instar and the larval and pupal phases were recorded. The diet provided complete development of the larvae. The average duration of the first and second instars was the same (6.9 days), while the third instar lasted an average of 10.0 days and the pupal phase 13.2 days. The average survival of the larvae was above 80% for the first, second and third instars, and 70.0% and 33.3% for the larval and pupal phase, respectively. These results indicate that the exclusive use of elephant grass pollen can provide complete development of the immature stages of this predator.KEYWORDS. Diet; green lacewing; mass rearing. RESUMO. Larvas de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) podem ser criadas com pólen? O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a viabilidade do uso exclusivo de pólen de capim-elefante Pennisetum purpureum (Schum) como dieta para larvas de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861). Os insetos foram mantidos a 24ºC, avaliando-se a duração e a sobrevivência em cada instar e em todo o estágio larval e pupal. Verificou-se que a dieta proporcionou o desenvolvimento completo das larvas do crisopídeo, que apresentaram a mesma duração média para o primeiro e segundo ínstares (6,9 dias) e permaneceram 10,0 e 13,2 dias no terceiro instar e no estágio pupal, respectivamente. A sobrevivência média das larvas de C. externa foi superior a 80% para o primeiro, segundo e terceiro ínstares, e de 70,0% e 33,3% para o estágio larval e pupal, respectivamente. Verificou-se que o uso exclusivo de pólen de capim-elefante como alimento para larvas de C. externa proporcionou o completo desenvolvimento dos estágios imaturos do predador.

Pollen as a component of the diet of Doru luteipes (Scudder, 1876) (Dermaptera: Forficulidade)

“…Data corroborate those in the first bioassay, in which the addition of pollen also reduced the predator´s development period. Oliveira et al (2010) reported that larvae of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) complete the juvenile stage feeding exclusively on pollen. In current study, the addition of pollen to the diet in the juvenile stage reduced the development period, which is an important variable for the maintenance of the species on the field.…”

Occurrence of green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in two coffee cropping systems

“…Such plants, which are more frequent at the inter-rows, are an alternative food source (pollen and nectar) for natural enemies. The cover vegetation also promotes a friendly microclimate for natural enemies during extreme climatic conditions and may shelter alternative preys for predators (Landis et al, 2000;Oliveira et al, 2010Oliveira et al, , 2012Venzon et al, 2006).…”

First record of the green lacewing Chrysoperla nigrocapitata (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from Russia

“…Although chrysopid larvae are mainly predatory, feeding on small arthropods with soft bodies, at least the larvae of Chrysoperla also consume non-prey foods such as pollen, and especially sugar-rich foods as honeydew and nectar (e.g., Downes, 1974;Limburg & Rosenheim, 2001;Hogervorst et al, 2008). Moreover, a third of larvae of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) in the laboratory was shown to develop to adults feeding exclusively on pollen of the grass Pennisetum purpureum (Schum) (de Oliveira et al, 2010). Finding Ch.…”