Evaluation of the Green Lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera; Chrysopidae) against Aphids on Different Crops

Abstract

The green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is one of the most effective bioagents for the control of aphids. The present work deals with mass production, release and evaluation of this predator on different aphid pests including Aphis craccivora Koch on potato, Aphis nerii (Boyer de Fonscolombe) on oleander, Aphis gossypii Glover on cotton, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) on cabbage, Myztus persicae (Sulzer) on apple, and Pterochloroides persica Chlod. on peach. Experiments were done at four different locations of Egypt including Qalubiya, Demmyate, North Sinai and Giza. About one million larvae were released at the rate of 100 larvae per tree and 50 larvae per individual plant, biweekly, during 2005-2006. The results showed that the populations of the aphid species decreased from 2110 to 77, 2851 to 5, 5142 to 2, 1741 to 110, 1410 to 11 and 2210 to 15 individuals/10 leaves, on potato, cotton, oleander, cabbage, apple, peach, respectively, after releasing C. carnea