Potential for Chrysoperla carnea as a biological control for stink bugs
Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: formerly EPPO Alert List) and Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are both plant pests. The current study assessed the potential of larvae of the green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) as biological control agent for the two stink bugs. C. carnea is a generalist predator which feeds on a wide range of pests in agroecosystems and plays an important role in the conservation and augmentation biological control of various arthropod pests, including aphids, lepidopterans, mealybugs, psyllids, leafhoppers, whiteflies, thrips, and spider mites. The predatory efficacy of C. carnea was assessed on the two stink bugs at three constant temperatures (16, 21, and 26°C) and two different arenas (Petri dish and caged plants). Second and third instars of C. carnea preyed on first instars of both H. halys and N. viridula. Only third instars of C. carnea could successfully kill and feed on second instars of either species. The complexity of the arena, as well as the life stage of the prey and predator influenced the predation efficacy of C. carnea but temperature did not. The results suggest that augmentative releases of C. carnea larvae may have some potential in greenhouse crops, particularly against N. viridula infestations, whereas in open field crops natural populations may contribute to pest suppression within the broader predator assemblance.
Sources
Berteloot OH, Peusens G, Beliën T, Van Leeuwen T, De Clercq P (2024) Predation efficacy of Chrysoperla carnea on two economically important stink bugs. Biological Control 196, 105586 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105586