Chinese Journal of Entomology (2000) 20, 73-87

Chia-Pao Chang (2000)
Investigation on the life history of Mallada basalis (Walker) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and the effects of temperatures on its development
Chinese Journal of Entomology 20 (2), 73-87
Abstract: Mallada basalis (Walker) is a well-known natural enemy of several agricultural pests. A series of investigations on the life cycle of this insect were performed from 1993 to 1997 in the laboratory. The results indicate that the insect could complete an average of 10 generations in a year. The duration of each generation varied with temperature. On the average, the egg, larva, and pupa took 4.4, 11.8, and 11.9 d to complete its stage, respectively. The life span of the female was 70.8 d, and that of the male was 76.9 d. The insect needed 28.1 d to complete a life cycle. On average, each female adult could lay a total of 736.3 eggs with 13.7 eggs/d. Under constant temperature from 15 to 30°, the egg, 1st instar, 2nd instar, 3rd instar larval and pupal stages needed from 8.1 to 3.1 d, 9.5 to 3.1 d, 7.1 to 2.2 d, 8.0 to 3.4 d, 24.6 to 8.6 d, respectively, and time to complete a life cycle decreased with an increase of temperature, with the shortest at 30°. The threshold temperatures for eggs, 1st instar larvae, 2nd instar larvae, 3rd instar larvae, and pupae were estimated to be 7.4, 9.5, 8.2, 4.1 and 7.9°, respectively. The accumulated temperatures for the development of eggs, 1st instar, 2nd instar, 3rd instar larvae, and pupae were 69.6, 70.0, 48.6, 88.3, and 193.8 degree-days(DD), respectively, and completing a generation required 462.3DD. The effective temperature ranges, and high and low lethal temperatures were determined to be 17 to 47°, 51 and 6°, respectively, for 1st instar larvae, 15 to 44°, 46 and 6° for 2nd instar larvae, and 15 to 43°, 46 and 8° for 3rd instar larvae. Female and male adults were active at 14 to 42°and 16 to 42°, and the high and low lethal temperatures for both sexes were found to be 50 and 6?, and 49 and 9°, respectively.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Mallada basalis (predator)