Comparative life histories of the predators Ceraeochrysa cincta, C-cubana,and C-smithi (Neuroptera : Chrysopidae)

The subtropical green lacewings Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider), C. cubana (Hagen), and C. smithi (Navas) share many aspects of their life histories; however, they differ in a suite of developmental and reproductive traits th at appear very important ecologically and that have significant implication s for biological control. All 3 species have trash-carrying larvae, and the y complete preimaginal development (from egg to adult emergence) in approxi mate to 4 wk at 24 degrees C. The intrinsic rates of natural increase of th e 3 species overlap considerably. Rates of development are related linearly to temperature, and there are no developmental delays that indicate preima ginal or reproductive diapause, even under short days (10:14 [L:D] h). Of t he 3 species, C. cubana has the highest thermal thresholds for development. whereas those of C. smithi are the lowest. C. smithi lays its eggs in spir al clutches (approximate to 13 eggs per clutch) and its oviposition persist s For a moderately long period (approximate to 26 d). Neither C. cincta nor C. cubana lays eggs in clutches. C. cincta has a high rate of oviposition (approximate to 17 eggs per day) and a relatively short oviposition period (approximate to 21 d). C. cubana has a lower rate of oviposition (approxima te to 6 eggs per day),but a much longer oviposition period (approximate to 52 d) than the other species. Progress in the systematics and comparative b iology of these and other Ceraeochrysa species will help implement the effi cient mass-production, marketing, and use of this large and diverse group o f predators in biological control. In turn, the low-cost availability of th ese species will diversify the arsenal of natural enemies and thus help exp and the commercialization of biological control.