Biological aspects of the immature stages of Ceraeochrysa everes (Banks) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Abstract

A knowledge of the behavior and biological aspects of natural enemies is extremely important for the establishment of biological control programs. Biological aspects of the larvae, pre-pupae and pupae of the predator Ceraeochrysa everes (Banks) were studied. Larvae of the adult F1 generation were reared in the laboratory (25 ± 2°C, 65 ± 10 % RH and 14h photophase) on eggs of the Angoumois grain moth Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier). The duration and viability of the embryonic period, development of the immature stages and egg-adult period were evaluated. The mean embryonic period was 5.0 days, while the mean durations of the first, second and third instars were: 5.1 ± 0.03; 4.3 ± 0.05 and 4.5 ± 0.05 days, respectively, with viability exceeding 90%. Duration of the larval, pre-pupal and pupal stages averaged 13.9 ± 0.07; 5.7 ± 0.07 and 9.6 ± 0.12 days, respectively. Duration of the biological cycle was 34 ± 0.11 days on average. S. cerealella eggs were not suitable for rearing C. everes under laboratory conditions because they affected predator development.