Applied Entomology and Zoology (2019) 54, 115-121

Shovon Chandra Sarkar, Endong Wang, Zhike Zhang, Shengyong Wu and Zhongren Lei (2019)
Laboratory and glasshouse evaluation of the green lacewing, Chrysopa pallens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) against the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Applied Entomology and Zoology 54 (1), 115-121
Abstract: Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is an important invasive polyphagous pest in vegetable and ornamental crops. The increasing resistance to chemical insecticides in F. occidentalis has resulted in heightened interest in alternative control methods including the generalist entomophagous predator Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). The first part of this study evaluated the prey capacity of the three larval instars of C. pallens on F. occidentalis larvae, using functional responses. The C. pallens larvae exhibited a type III functional response to the F. occidentalis larvae. When offered 80 thrips larvae, 34–41 were consumed by a single C. pallens larvae within 24 h. The second part examined the effects of releasing C. pallens to control F. occidentalis on glasshouse-cultivated cucumber plants. In comparison with the control, releases of C. pallens larvae at densities of 2, 4, 8, and 16 per plant led to a reduction in F. occidentalis by 11%, 39%, 59%, and 68% of the larvae and 12%, 43%, 58%, and 68% of the adults, respectively, after 5 weeks. Our results suggested that the C. pallens may be an effective biological control agent for use against F. occidentalis.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Zhong-Ren Lei

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Frankliniella occidentalis	Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Chrysopa pallens (predator)	Frankliniella occidentalis	Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)