EFFECT OF DIFFERENT DIETS ON FECUNDITY AN D LIFE-SPAN OF ADULTS OF NUSALALA-URUGUAYA (NAVAS, 1923) (NEUROPTERA, HEMEROBIIDAE)

Adults of Nusalala uruguaya (Navas) (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) fed on different natural and artificial diets, were studied in the laboratory at 25 +/- 2 degrees C, 70 +/- 10% RU and forteen-hour photophase for their fecundity and life span. The diets tested were: 1 - Dactynotus s p.; 2 - Taxoptera citricidus Kirk.; 3 - Brevicoryne brassicae (L); 4 - Dacrynotus sp. + Sojinha(R), honey and water; 5 - New Life(R), honey and water; 6 - Novomilke(R), honey and water; 7 - Sojinha(R), honey an d water; 8 - Water. The life span of adults was 75.8 and 67.5 days for males and females, respectively, fed on Dacrynotus sp. Females lived less when fed on B. brassicae and males when received Sojinha(R), hone y and water or B. brassicae. Females fed on T. citricidus and Dactynot us sp. (with or without Sojinha(R), honey and water) had a longer ovip osition period than those fed on the other diets. Females fed on Dacty notus sp. and Dactynotus sp. + Sojinha(R) produced greater number of e ggs with higher viability and weight. The artificial diets tested were not enough to mantain a high fecundity, thus resulting in a low ferti lity.