Studies on Development and Feeding Potential of the Green Lacewing, Chrysoperla Zastrowi (Stephens) on Different Hosts

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Studies on development and feeding potential of the Green lacewing, Chrysoperla zastrowi (Stephens) on different hosts” was carried out during November 2019 to March 2020 at Bio-control laboratory, Department of Entomology, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut. During the study, the green lacewing adults were collected from the flowers of different crop plants in Meerut region. It was observed that the incubation, larval, pupal period, male and female longevity lasted for average 3.00±0.10, 8.85±0.25, 6.95±0.15 days, 25.88±0.63 and 31.75±0.75 days, respectively. The feeding potential of C. zastrowi larvae was observed under laboratory condition. The total food consumption of a single larva of C. zastrowi were in order of 431.00±2.87 eggs of C. cephalonica, 180.00±1.24 A. craccivora, 171.33±4.42 A. gossypii, 157.67±1.49 B. brassicae, 142.67±2.36 L. erysimi, 131.34±2.19 R. maidis and 119.67±2.94 M. persicae. The fecundity of C. zastrowi female was recorded on different natural host diet. The highest number of eggs were recorded 372.67±6.41 on C. cephalonica followed by, 339.13±8.82 eggs on A. gossypii, 247.20±5.49 eggs on R. maidis, 210.00±7.35 eggs on A. craccivora, 170.67±1.96 eggs on B. brassicae, 147.47±9.35 eggs on L. erysimi and 120.13±0.75 eggs on M. persicae. In cost benefit ratio, the overall expenditure was calculated Rs.1243 by adding cost of rearing culture and initial purchase cost. As a result of adopted technique approximately 11400 eggs per month were obtained. The cost of egg production was resulted into Rs.0.10/egg. And the cost benefit ratio was 1:2.75. The results clearly indicated that C. zastrowi could be a better bio-control agent against different hosts species among them it could effectively control C. cephalonica, A. craccivora and A. gossypii, which resulted into the best substitute for chemicals to management of aphids.