Biological Characteristics of Indigenous Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Fed on a Natural and an Alternative Prey

Studying of prey suitability for indigenous insect predators is very important factor for their mass rearing in the future. We tested the effects of two different prey species on the preimaginal stages parameters and adult bionomics of the indigenous predator, Chrysoperla carnea under laboratory conditions. These prey species are the aphid; Aphis fabae as a natural prey and Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) as a factitious prey. The results showed that prey species had a significant effect on preimaginal development times, survival and fecundity. In contrast, adult longevity, egg hatchability and egg duration were not significantly affected by prey species. Eggs of E. kuehniella led to high survival rates, short development times for the preimaginal stages and high fecundity. These results would be helpful for mass rearing of C. carnea as an indigenous predator in Saudi Arabia and help in designing integrated pest management programs involving its use as a biocontrol agent of aphids on various crops.