Effect of different artificial diets on the biology of adult green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea Stephens.)

Abstract

Chrysoperla carnea (Green lacewing) is voracious predator of insect eggs and varieties of soft-bodied arthropods such as caterpilllars, aphids, jassids and mealy bugs. It is currently mass-reared and used in biological control of insect pests. Experiments were conducted to find out a better and cheaper artificial diet for mass-rearing of adult C. carnea. Three adult diets were tested in the laboratory conditions in comparison with standard diet; that was mixture of yeast extract, casein, honey, sugar and distilled water. Parameters were fecundity, larval period, pupal period and adult longevity. The results revealed that the mixture of egg yolk, milk and honey was better than all other diets.

Keywords

• artificial diets
• adult green lacewing
• Chrysoperla carnea Stephens.