Correlative Effect of Temperature and Photoperiod on the Oviposition and Adult Longevity of <i>Chrysoperla carnea</i> Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Abstract

Among the natural enemies, the larval stage of green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is the most commercialized and prominent predator on many soft-bodied insects like juveniles of aphids, whiteflies, thrips, mealybugs and eggs of lepidopterans, where adults feed only nectar, pollen, and honeydew. Despite, many factors influencing insect endurance, abiotic factors such as temperature and photoperiod are the main components when insects grew under a controlled atmosphere. The observation taken on oviposition revealed that rearing adult insects at temperature 24 °C with a photoperiod of 18:6 hours (Dark: Light) conditions produced the highest quantity at an average of 620.9 ± 0.85 eggs/day/100 insects respectively. Data on adult longevity showed that adult life extended up to 43.4 ± 0.22 days when reared at temperature 22 °C with a photoperiod of 18:6 hours (Dark: Light).