Development and Voracity of Chrysopa lacciperda Kimmins on Planococcus citri (Risso)

The green lace wing, Chrysopa lacciperda Kimmins is a predator of citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso). A study was conducted to determine the developmental period and the ability of C. lacciperda to consume the nymphs of P. citri under laboratory conditions. Nymphs; 10.15 days old were offered. C. lacciperda took 22.52 days to develop from egg to adult. First, 2nd and 3rd instar larvae consumed a mean of 35.0, 96.0 and 636.1 nymphs respectively. C. lacciperda developed faster and consumed almost double the number of eggs of C. cephalonica when compared to nymphs of P. citri.