Green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) associated with Melon Crop in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Molecular phylogeny of the green lacewings (Neuroptera : Chrysopidae)

The first quantitative analysis of phylogenetic relationships of green lacewings (Chrysopidae) is presented based on DNA sequence data. A single nuclear and two mitochondrial genes are used in the analysis: carbomoylphosphate synthase (CPS) domain of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase-aspartate transcarbamoylase-dihydroorotase (CAD) (i.e. rudimentary locus), large subunit ribosomal gene (16S) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI). This study represents the first use of the CAD gene to investigate phylogenetic relationships of the lacewings. DNA sequences for 33 chrysopid species from 18 genera, representing all subfamilies and tribes, were compared with outgroups sampled from families Hemerobiidae, Osmylidae and Polystoechotidae. Parsimony analyses of the combined data set recovered all of the previously established subfamilial and tribal groups as monophyletic clades (although relatively weakly supported) except Apochrysinae sensu lato. The enigmatic Nothancyla verreauxi Navas has historically been difficult to place in a subfamily group based on morphological characteristics; molecular data presented herein do not adequately resolve this problem.

Effect of the insecticides abamectin and lufenuron on eggs and larvae of Chrysoperla externa under laboratory conditions

The side effects of two insecticides/acaricides, abamectin and lufenuron, on the eggs and larvae of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) were studied in the laboratory (25 +/- 2degreesC, 62 +/- 10% RH and 12-h photophase). The analytical methods used were those proposed by the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC)-Working Group for 'Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms'. Chrysoperla externa egg viability was not affected by abamectin. Neonate larvae from abamectin sprayed eggs as well as first, second and third instar larvae that were directly treated, developed normally and yielded normal adults. Lufenuron presented no adverse effects on egg survival. However, lufenuron induced high mortality in neonate larvae from treated eggs. These neonates, as well as lufenuron treated first and second instar larvae could not molt. In the third instar, high pupal mortality occurred. The results showed that abamectin is innocuous and that lufenurom is toxic to Chrysoperla externa eggs and larvae.

Fecundity and pre-imaginal period of Chrysoperla externa (hagen) (neuroptera: chrysopidae) under different populations and laboratory generations

The lacewings appear in many agroecosystems, preying several species of agricultural pests. They have great search capability, high voracity, high reproductive potential and are easily maintained in laboratory conditions. In laboratory rearing, to avoid problems in the mass production are recommended adjustments in the type and quality of prey to be used in order to obtain individuals with desirable characteristics. It is necessary special care with the laboratory populations, avoiding problems from inbreeding. Larvae were reared individually in Petri dishes (9.0 cm diameter) and fed with eggs of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier, 1789) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in the amount of 25 mg / larva, while the adults were kept in PVC cylindrical cages (10 cm x 30 cm). Thus, the study analyzed the influence of the size of the population of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on the pre-imaginal period (egg to adult) and reproductive capacity of this specie come from different populations and generations of laboratory. To this end, we used two populations, one of Jaboticabal (F-8 and F-21) and one of Piracicaba (F-6 and F-15), and subpopulations of 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 couples, analyzing the incubation of eggs and the number of eggs per female in each population, generation and subpopulation. The pre-imaginal period (egg to adult) and the number of eggs per female of C. externa are influenced by the generation and the number of founding individuals, being these parameters favored when laboratory populations are established with the largest number of couples.

Potencial reprodutivo de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) em função do número de indivíduos por unidade de criação

Verificou-se o efeito de diferentes densidades de insetos por unidade de criação sobre o potencial reprodutivo de Chrysoperla externa. Utilizaram-se adultos da geração F4 mantidos a 25 ± 1ºC, 70 ± 10% de UR e fotofase de 12 horas. Foram utilizadas as seguintes densidades por unidade de criação (10 cm de diâmetro por 23 cm de altura e volume de 1650 cm³): um macho e três fêmeas, dois machos e seis fêmeas, três machos e nove fêmeas e quatro machos e doze fêmeas. Avaliou-se o período de pré-oviposição, a oviposição diária e total por fêmea e por unidade de criação, as porcentagens de ovos viáveis e inférteis e o índice de aproveitamento, calculado por fêmea e por unidade de criação. A densidade quatro machos e doze fêmeas apresentou melhor aproveitamento da unidade de criação, compensando as reduções observadas nos valores de postura média e total por fêmea.

Relação predador: presa de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) para o controle do pulgão-verde em genótipos de sorgo

O uso da resistência de plantas associado a agentes de controle biológico pode ser uma alternativa viável no controle de Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) em sorgo. Objetivou-se estudar diferentes relações predador:presa em genótipos de sorgo resistente (TX 430 x GR 111), moderadamente resistente (GB 3B) e suscetível (BR 007B) para o controle do pulgão-verde por Chrysoperla externa (Hagen). Para isso foram realizadas, em condições de casa-de-vegetação, liberações do crisopídeo nas relações predador:presa de 1:5; 1:10; 1:25 e 1:50. O genótipo TX 430 x GR 111 foi o mais eficiente no controle do pulgão-verde, S. graminum, assim como as relações predador:presa de 1:5 e de 1:10 nos três genótipos. A interação resistência de plantas e controle biológico foi positiva e permitiu controle acima de 80% nas relações predador:presa de 1:5 e 1:10 no material resistente TX 430 x GR 111; no genótipo GB 3B o melhor controle foi obtido com 1 predador: 5 presas.

Haplotype characterization of the COI mitochondrial gene in Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from different environments in Jaboticabal, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ocorrência e flutuação populacional de Chrysopidae (Neuroptera) em áreas de plantio de Pinus taeda (L.) (Pinaceae) no sul do Paraná

The lacewings are very voracious predators of aphids. The objective of this research was to evaluate the occurrence of adult chrysopids in areas of Pinus reforestation where the giant conifer aphid Cinara spp. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is causing severe damages. A total of 47 specimens were collected during one year and identified as: Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861), Leucochrysa (Nodita) intermedia (Scheneir, 1851) and Leucochrysa (Nodita) vieirana (Navás, 1913). The captures in the area where the plants were one year old represented about 75% of the adults probably due to the high Cinara infestation on the trees in this area. The chrysopids were recorded mostly during the summer, possibly influenced by temperature.

Aspectos biológicos de Chrysoperla raimundoi Freitas & Penny (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae)

Os crisopídeos são importantes predadores e são encontrados em diversos agroecossistemas. A temperatura é um dos fatores determinantes para o desenvolvimento dos insetos, sendo que existe um gradiente de variação aceitável para cada espécie. Portanto, objetivou-se com este estudo verificar a influência de diferentes temperaturas sobre o desenvolvimento embrionário e pós-embrionário de C. raimundoi assim como verificar as conseqüências nas diferentes gerações. As fases jovens foram criadas em três ambientes com temperaturas constantes de 19,0, 25,0 e 31,0ºC e em um ambiente externo sem controle dos fatores abióticos. Foram observados a duração do período embrionário, do primeiro, segundo e terceiro ínstares, a duração do período larval, pupal e ovo-adulto, assim como, a sobrevivência em cada estágio, estádio e a porcentagem de emergência. O desenvolvimento embrionário e pós-embrionário diferiu entre as gerações F2 e F4. Quanto à influência de diferentes temperaturas para a geração F2, os indivíduos criados a 31,0ºC demonstraram redução na taxa de desenvolvimento com relação aos outros dois ambientes. Para a geração F4, observou-se que as diferentes temperaturas influenciaram no desenvolvimento, sendo que a 19,0ºC houve prolongamento do mesmo.

Desenvolvimento e capacidade de consumo de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) alimentada com ninfas de mosca-branca criadas em hortaliças

Many arthropods are mentioned with whitefly natural enemies, including the green lacewings. The aim of this study is to analyses the development and the capacity of predation of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) fed with Bemisia tabaci B biotype nymphs, rearing different vegetables (kale, broccoli, eggplant end tomato). The duration, viability end weight in each stage end phase of development of the insect-predator had been evaluated, as well as the predatory capacity of the larvae in the third instar. The larval phase of the predator presented minor duration when these had been fed with nymphs developed the broccoli (12.36 days) and minor duration of the tomato (14.36 days) phase when fed with nymphs developed in kale, broccoli, and eggplant (6.50, 7.20, 7.33 days, respectively). The lower indices of viability been found for the larvae fed with nymphs developed in the tomato (30%), and average weights have. The predatory capacity of the larvae during the third instar was not affected, independently on the plant host where the whitefly nymph fed itself.

Ocorrência de Ungla Navás (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) no Brasil e descrição de nova espécie

Pela primeira vez é registrada a ocorrência do gênero Neotropical Ungla Navás, 1914 em ecossistema brasileiro. Uma nova espécie é descrita para Sete Lagoas, Minas gerais, Brasil. Uma chave para espécies de Ungla é fornecida.

Compatibilidade entre Beauveria bassiana e o predador Chrysoperla externa em laboratório

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do fungo Beauveria bassiana sobre ovos e larvas de Chrysoperla externa. Ovos com até 24 horas de idade e insetos no 1º, 2º e 3º ínstares foram imersos em suspensões fúngicas de 1,0x10(4) a 1,0x10(8) conídios mL-1. Não houve efeito do fungo sobre a viabilidade dos ovos. Larvas de terceiro ínstar foram afetadas por B. bassiana, e as suspensões de 1,0x10(7) e 1,0x10(8) conídios mL-1 interferiram nos parâmetros avaliados.

Sexual dimorphism in Ceraeochrysa cubana (Neuroptera : Chrysopidae)

Sexual dimorphism of green lacewings is discussed, citing previously known examples of this structural phenomenon on the frons, antennal scape, and forewings. Newly recognized dimorphism is cited in Ceraeochrysa cubana for the vertex and abdominal spiracles.

Dinâmica espaço-temporal de taxocenoses de crisopídeos (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) em ecossistemas naturais

In order to study the interactions of green lacewings toxocenosis on natural ecossystems, samplings were carried out in the Parque Ecologic Quedas do Rio Bonito, located in Lavras, Alto Rio Grande region, South of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The species inventory was accomplished in two vegetation types: semi-evergreen forest and open field formations, including areas of montane grassland, rocky montane grassland and "cerrado". Insects were captured with a butterfly net during 2h, walking through each vegetation formation. Sampling resulted in 1,948 specimens belonging to 30 species, of which 14 were Chrysopini and 16 Leucochrysini. Representatives of these tribes were observed both in forest and in open field formations. Species of the genera Ceraeochrysa, Chrysoperla, Chrysopodes, Plesiochrysa and Leucochrysa were found in forests and in open field formations, except for Plesiochrysa. The highest richness and diversity of species were observed in the forest. The similarity index among the communities of green lacewings in the studied areas was 27%.

Desenvolvimento pós-embrionário de Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider, 1851) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) alimentada com ovos de Diatraea saccharallis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The lacewings (Ceraeochrysa cincta) are important predators found associated to many pests in several agroecosystems. Eggs of Sitotroga cerealella and Anagasta kuehniella are used traditionally for massal rearing of these predators. Other foods can be used in substitution to the traditional ones, but little is known about the biology of lacewings and other alternative foods. So, this work was carried out to evaluate the effect of different diets on the post-embryonic development of C. cincta in laboratory. After been individualized in glass tubes, each larva was fed with S. cereallella and Diatraea saccharallis. It was evaluated the larvae duration, weight and viability in each instar, the duration, weight and viability of the pupa and pre-pupa stages and the duration of the post-embryonic period. It was adopted a completely randomized design with ten replications per treatment, each consisting of five eggs or larvae of C. cincta. Larvae were weighed 48 hours after hatching and 48 hours after each molt, and pre-pupae and pupae, 48 hours after starting these stages. There was no effect of the kind of food provided on the parameters evaluated. Therefore, D. saccharallis eggs can be used to feed C. cincta.