Effect of Single- And Mixed-Resource Diets of Mealybug Stages on Developmental and Reproductive Performances of the Green Lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea

Abstract

The application of C. carnea has accounted for one third of all successful biocontrol programs worldwide. For the successful application of pest control programs that use C. carnea as a biocontrol agent, it is necessary to recognize high quality food/prey. Larvae of C. carnea were provided with either eggs of one of Planococcus citri, Icerya aegyptiaca, I. seychellarum and their mixing or second-instars of one of those mealybug species and one more species, Planococcus solenopsis. These feeding trials were conducted at 25.0±1.0 °C and 65±5% R.H. Eggs of I. aegyptiaca accelerated development of C. carnea. Eggs of mealybug species significantly affected oviposition period, female and male longevities, and fecundity. The longest female and male longevities were obtained when predator's larvae fed on mixing mealybug eggs. The highest female fecundity was when predator's larvae fed with P. citri eggs. Female fertility ranged between 98 and 99% in relation to mealybug eggs consumed. In case of using second-instar mealybugs as a food, the shortest developmental time and longest female longevity was when predator's larvae fed on second-instars of P. citri. second-instar mealybugs significantly affected female fecundity with the highest fecundity was for those their larvae fed on second-instars P. citri and P. solenopsis. Female fertility ranged between 97 and 98% in relation to type of second-instar mealybugs that provided for predator's larvae. The success of any predator majorly depends on the nutritional quality of its prey. These information will be useful for the formulation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs.