<b>Effect of female age and environmental factors on reproduction of the predator <em>Chrysoperla externa</em> (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v25i2.2014

Abstract

The biotic and abiotic factors affect the reproductive potential of insects. Thus, the effects of female age and environmental factors on reproduction of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) were studied. Adults of the predator were reared in "PVC" cages, closed in the upper portion with a thin mesh, organdie, placed on cotton plants at a greenhouse. The largest production of eggs by female (87.7 eggs) occurred with 49 days and the smallest (32.2 eggs) with 63 days of female age. The remating occurred after the exhaustion of spermatic reservations, starting on 28th day. The fecundity of C. externa females increased with elevation of the relative humidity of air. It was also verified a fast embryonic development with increase of temperature and female age. All these results supply subsidies for knowledge of the reproduction of C. externa in cotton system