Effect of temperature on development, survival, and adult body size of two green lacewings, Mallada desjardinsi and Chrysoperla nipponensis (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Abstract

To search for a useful biological control agent and to determine the optimal rearing conditions for the green lacewings Mallada desjardinsi and Chrysoperla nipponensis, thermal effects on development, survival, and adult body size were examined at seven constant temperatures (15.0, 17.5, 20.0, 22.5, 25.0, 27.5, and 30.0°C) with a photoperiod regime of 16L : 8D (h). The developmental zero of M. desjardinsi larvae was higher than that of C. nipponensis larvae. The developmental zeros of C. cornea and C. nipponensis in earlier reports were similar to that of C. nipponensis in the present study. On the other hand, that of M. desjardinsi in earlier studies was somewhat higher than that of M. desjardinsi in the present study. A lower survival rate of C. nipponensis was observed in the cocoon stage at 15.0°C. On the other hand, lower survival rates of M. desjardinsi were observed in the egg stage at 30.0°C and in the cocoon stage at 15.0, 27.5 and 30.0°C. The body size of both green lacewings was affected by temperature throughout the range tested. Smaller body sizes of M. desjardinsi and C. nipponensis adults were observed at 15.0, 27.5 and 30.0°C. These results indicate that C. nipponensis has a wider optimum range of temperature for immature development than M. desjardinsi.