Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a major invasive pest of citrus as well as other plants in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the
world. This economically important pest was reported from Fars, Hormozgan, and
Khuzestan provinces (South and Southwest of Iran). Damage of this pest severely
affects citrus trees in Jahrom region from Fars province. High potential of reproduction, widespread distribution, and difficulty of chemical control demanded urgent
application of natural enemies against this pest within an IPM program. Zakerin et al.
(2009) studied the efficiency of C. carnea in control of N. viridis in citrus orchards of
Jahrom during 2004 to 2005. First instar larvae of C. carnea were released based on
a specific design. Moreover, movement of ants on treated citrus was banned using
sticky band, and infection rate of fruits was considered as an index. The results
showed that this pest can be controlled substantially by releasing the green lacewing
larvae (500 larvae per citrus tree) in three releasing times at 30 April, 10 May and
20 May.
Hassani-sadi et al. (2010) studied the effects of diet and temperature regimes on
the development and reproduction of green lacewing as a natural enemy of the
common pistachio psyllid, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt and Lauterer
(Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and concluded that the larvae of C. lucasina fed 1016 fourth
psyllid nymphs and 315 third instar cowpea nymphs through the whole larval period
at 30
C. The diets had a significant influence on fecundity and longevity of adult
green lacewings. Furthermore, the reproduction of the green lacewing was reduced
by increasing the temperature from 22.5
C to 32.5
C. The intrinsic rate of natural
increases (r m ) of this insect was 0.11 and 0.09 day
À1 when it was reared using fourth
instar pistachio psyllid nymphs and flour moth eggs at 25
C through the larval stage,
respectively.
Hassanpour et al. (2011) investigated the functional response of three larval
instars of C. carnea to the eggs and first instar larvae of H. armigera under
laboratory conditions. First and second instar larvae of predator showed type II
functional responses on both prey stages. However, third instar lacewing larvae
exhibited type II and III functional responses to the first instar larvae and eggs of
H. armigera, respectively. Maximum observed predation (ÆSE) rate of first, second
and third larval instars of C. carnea was 8 (Æ0.26), 27.5 (Æ1.49), and 81.6 (Æ1.96)
eggs, and 7.5 (Æ0.37), 24.4 (Æ0.64), and 51.1 (Æ1.48) larvae, respectively.
According to the prey consumption rate and functional response parameters, the
researchers confirmed that the larvae of C. carnea, especially the third instar, have a
high potential for control of eggs and first instar larvae of H. armigera. However,
field-based studies are needed for a comprehensive estimation of the capacity of
C. carnea in biological control of H. armigera.
Hesami et al. (2011) studied the effects of different host plants of Sitobion avenae
(Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on feeding rate and longevity of C. carnea under
laboratory conditions. There was significant difference between two host plants
(wheat and oleander) in feeding rate and longevity of the green lacewing. Mean
feeding rate of second instar larvae of C. carnea on the aphids fed on wheat and
oleander plants was 40.3, and 30.6, respectively. Additionally, the developmental
time of second instar larvae of the green lacewing was 3.7 and 6 days when fed on
5 Lacewings: Research and Applied Aspects
185
world. This economically important pest was reported from Fars, Hormozgan, and
Khuzestan provinces (South and Southwest of Iran). Damage of this pest severely
affects citrus trees in Jahrom region from Fars province. High potential of reproduction, widespread distribution, and difficulty of chemical control demanded urgent
application of natural enemies against this pest within an IPM program. Zakerin et al.
(2009) studied the efficiency of C. carnea in control of N. viridis in citrus orchards of
Jahrom during 2004 to 2005. First instar larvae of C. carnea were released based on
a specific design. Moreover, movement of ants on treated citrus was banned using
sticky band, and infection rate of fruits was considered as an index. The results
showed that this pest can be controlled substantially by releasing the green lacewing
larvae (500 larvae per citrus tree) in three releasing times at 30 April, 10 May and
20 May.
Hassani-sadi et al. (2010) studied the effects of diet and temperature regimes on
the development and reproduction of green lacewing as a natural enemy of the
common pistachio psyllid, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt and Lauterer
(Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and concluded that the larvae of C. lucasina fed 1016 fourth
psyllid nymphs and 315 third instar cowpea nymphs through the whole larval period
at 30
C. The diets had a significant influence on fecundity and longevity of adult
green lacewings. Furthermore, the reproduction of the green lacewing was reduced
by increasing the temperature from 22.5
C to 32.5
C. The intrinsic rate of natural
increases (r m ) of this insect was 0.11 and 0.09 day
À1 when it was reared using fourth
instar pistachio psyllid nymphs and flour moth eggs at 25
C through the larval stage,
respectively.
Hassanpour et al. (2011) investigated the functional response of three larval
instars of C. carnea to the eggs and first instar larvae of H. armigera under
laboratory conditions. First and second instar larvae of predator showed type II
functional responses on both prey stages. However, third instar lacewing larvae
exhibited type II and III functional responses to the first instar larvae and eggs of
H. armigera, respectively. Maximum observed predation (ÆSE) rate of first, second
and third larval instars of C. carnea was 8 (Æ0.26), 27.5 (Æ1.49), and 81.6 (Æ1.96)
eggs, and 7.5 (Æ0.37), 24.4 (Æ0.64), and 51.1 (Æ1.48) larvae, respectively.
According to the prey consumption rate and functional response parameters, the
researchers confirmed that the larvae of C. carnea, especially the third instar, have a
high potential for control of eggs and first instar larvae of H. armigera. However,
field-based studies are needed for a comprehensive estimation of the capacity of
C. carnea in biological control of H. armigera.
Hesami et al. (2011) studied the effects of different host plants of Sitobion avenae
(Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on feeding rate and longevity of C. carnea under
laboratory conditions. There was significant difference between two host plants
(wheat and oleander) in feeding rate and longevity of the green lacewing. Mean
feeding rate of second instar larvae of C. carnea on the aphids fed on wheat and
oleander plants was 40.3, and 30.6, respectively. Additionally, the developmental
time of second instar larvae of the green lacewing was 3.7 and 6 days when fed on
5 Lacewings: Research and Applied Aspects
185