Neuroptera in agricultural ecosystems

Due to their well known environmental needs, Neuroptera serve as valuable i ndicator species for assessing the ecology of natural and semi-natural habi tats. In agricultural ecosystems some species of the families Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, and Coniopterygidae are known as beneficial predators of plan t-sucking insect pests, Mass rearing and mass release of Chrysopids therefo re, have become standard methods of biological pest control. The present pa per summarizes information on biology and ecology of these three most impor tant Neuropteran families, followed by a description of Neuropteran communi ties found in different natural and semi-natural ecosystems, with special r eference to agroecosystems. Two separate sections deal with red lists of en dangered species and integrated control programs. Literature lists are prov ided for those who want to study Neuroptera in more detail. (C)1999 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.