Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 41(2) 1998

Issue:

VOL 41(2) 1998

Keywords:

Neuroptera, lacewings, biological control, aphid pests, Mediterranean crops, Spain

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Presence of predatory lacewing (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae) on Mediterranean crops

• Santos ROJO
• Fernando MARÍN
• M. Ángeles MARCOS-GARCÍA

Abstract:

The presence of predatory lacewings associated with aphid pest of orchard and fruit tree crops from the Mediterranean Southern Region (SE Spain) is presented. A total of 5 lacewing species were recovered preying on 13 aphid species from 9 Mediterranean crops. The identified aphid predators were Chrysopa formosa BRAUER, 1850, Chrysopa pallens (RAMBUR, 1838). Chrysoperla carnea (STEPHENS, 1836), Mallada flavifrons (BRAUER, 1850) and Hemerobius spp. The most abundant species were C. pallens and C. formosa, both preying on Hyalopterus pruni colonies but C. pallens prefers the aphids present on Prunus armeniaca while C. formosa on Prunus dulcis and Prunus domestica. The Neuroptera / aphid relationship of all captured Hemerobiidae and Chrysopidae spe­cies was examined. Feeding preferences and factors that could affect the biology of this aphidophagous group in Mediterranean agroecosystems are also discussed.