Developmental biology and population growth parameters along with predatory potential of Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) against Pterochloroides persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

The green lacewing Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Esben-Peterson) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), a polyphagous predator, is an effective biocontrol agent against various aphid species. Its efficacy was assessed against Pterochloroides persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a major pest of peach and nectarine orchards. This study investigates the developmental biology, population growth parameters, host-kill dynamics, and aphid consumption by C. zastrowi sillemi when fed on P. persicae. The development of C. zastrowi sillemi stages was recorded, with egg, larval instar, and adult durations averaging 2.21, 3.71, 2.29, and 3.21 days, respectively. Adult longevity was 34.33 days for males and 42.12 days for females. The female pre-ovipositional period was 6.25 days, with a total ovipositional period of 21.88 days. Population growth parameters indicated a true generation time of 35.39 ± 0.322 days, intrinsic rate of increase of 0.110 and a net reproductive rate of 52.64. A total fecundity of 131.77 eggs per female was recorded. The consumption of P. persicae by the first, second and third larval instars of C. zastrowi sillemi was 18.36, 25.07, and 85.21 aphids, respectively, with the third instar being the most voracious. The net predation rate was 90.868 aphids per day, with a transformation rate of 1.84 aphids per offspring produced. These results highlight the probability of C. zastrowi sillemi as a potential biocontrol agent for P. persicae management in agro-ecosystems, offering insights into its predation behaviour, reproductive parameters and will be useful in conducting further field evaluations before formulating it in integrated pest management programme.