ARS | Publication request: Lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) tracks deter oviposition by the goldeneyed lacewing, Chrysopa oculata

Submitted to: Biocontrol Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: April 14, 2008
Publication Date: July 25, 2008
Citation: Chauhan, K.R., Weber, D.C. 2008. Lady beetle (coleoptera: coccinellidae) tracks deter oviposition by the goldeneyed lacewing, chrysopa oculata. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 18(7):727-731

Interpretive Summary: Green lacewings are among the leading commercially available insects which serve as biological controls (predators) on insect pests such as aphids. Using a pheromone attractant for green lacewings, we were able to attract a large number of females into aphid-infested tomatoes in greenhouses. But the lacewings avoided laying eggs on the infested crops, probably because of the presence of ladybeetles, another predatory insect. Based on these field observations, we carried out a laboratory study to determine if lacewings were avoiding areas with ladybeetles. Results showed that field-collected female lacewings strongly avoided laying their eggs on areas which had been previously exposed to ladybeetle adults or larvae. This means that lacewings attracted or introduced to an aphid-infested crop may be less effective than expected when ladybeetles are already present. The research will help scientists and pest managers to harmonize strategies involving multiple natural enemies such as ladybeetles and lacewings, to better supress important crop pests.

Technical Abstract: Field-collected female goldeneyed lacewing (Chrysopa oculata) strongly avoided ovipositing on substrates exposed over 24 h to 3 of 4 ladybeetle species tested, resulting in circa 3-fold higher egg deposition on control versus coccinellid-exposed substrates. The effect was stage-specific for Coleomegilla maculata; it was observed for adult and third-instar larvae but not for unfed first-instar larvae.