Lacewings in the Crop Environment

Lacewings are predatory insects which attack and kill large numbers of insect pests. Lacewings in the Crop Environment addresses both the theoretical and practical aspects of lacewing biology and their use in crop protection. The book opens with a section on lacewing systematics and ecology. Next, lacewings as predators in a wide variety of commercially important crops are reviewed and this is followed by a section on the principles of using lacewings in pest control. The possible impact of genetically modified crops on lacewing populations is also discussed.

Finally, a fascinating array of case studies of lacewing use in many crops from around the world is presented, and future uses of lacewings speculated upon. Lacewings in the Crop Environment is an essential reference work and practical handbook for students, researchers of biological control, integrated pest management and agricultural science, and for field workers using lacewings in pest management programmes worldwide.

Originally published in 2001.

List of contributors; Preface; Part I. Lacewing Systematics and Ecology: 1. Introduction to the Neuroptera: what are they and how do they operate? T. R. New; 2. Introduction to the systematics and distribution of Coniopterygidae, Hemerobiidae and Chrysopidae used in pest management T. R. New; 3. The common green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea s. lat.) and the sibling species problem C. S. Henry, S. J. Brooks, D. Thierry, P. Duelli and J. B. Johnson; 4. Recognition of larval Neuroptera V. J. Monserrat, J. D. Oswald, C. A. Tauber and L. M. Diaz-Aranda; 5. Ecology and habitat relationships F. Szentkiralyi; 6. Natural food and feeding habits of lacewings M. Canard; 7. Outlines of lacewing development M. Canard and T. A. Volkovich; Part II. Lacewings in Crops: Introduction; 8. Lacewings in field crops P. Duelli; 9. Lacewings in fruit and nut crops F. Szentkiralyi; 10. Lacewings in vegetables, forests and other crops F. Szentkiralyi; Part III. Principles: Introduction; 11. The use of lacewings in biological control L. J. Senior and P. K. McEwen; 12. Mass-rearing, release techniques and augmentation D. A. Nordlund, A. C. Cohen and R. A. Smith; 13. Features of the nutrition of Chrysopidae larvae and larval artificial diets I. G. Yazlovetsky; 14. Ecological studies of released lacewings in crops K. M. Daane; 15. Sampling and studying lacewings in crops T. R. New and A. E. Whittington; 16. Interactions with plant management strategies H. Vogt, E. Vinuela, A. Bozsik, A. Hilbeck and F. Bigler; 17. Lacewings, biological control and conservation T. R. New; Part IV. Case Studies: Introduction; 18. Micromus tasmaniae: a key predator on aphids on field crops on Australasia? P. A. Horne, P. M. Ridland and T. R. New; 19. Preliminary notes on Mallada signatus (Chrysopidae) as a predator in field crops in Australia P. A. Horne, T. R. New and D. Papacek; 20. An evaluation of lacewing releases in North America K. M. Daane and K. S. Hagen; 21. Chrysoperla externa and Ceraeochrysa spp.: potential for biological control in the New World tropics and subtropics G. S. Albuquerque, C. A. Tauber and M. J. Tauber; 22. Comparative plant substrate specificity of Iberian Hemerobiidae, Coniopterygidae and Chrysopidae V. J. Monserrat and F. Marin; 23. Lacewings in Sardinian olive groves R. A. Pantaleoni, A. Lentini and G. Delrio; 24. Lacewing occurrence in the agricultural landscape of Pianura Padana R. A . Panataleoni; 25. Lacewings and snake-flies in Piedmont vineyards (northwestern Italy) R. A. Pantaleoni and A. Alma; 26. Control of aphids by Chrysoperla carnea on strawberry in Italy M. G. Tommasini and M. Mosti; 27. Artificial overwintering chambers for Chrysoperla carnea and their application in pest control P. K. McEwen and C. Sengonca; 28. Lacewings in Andalusian olive orchards M. Campos; 29. The green lacewings of Romania, their ecological patterns and occurrence in some agricultural crops M. Paulian; 30. Biological control with Chrysoperla lucasina against Aphis fabae on artichoke in Brittany (France) J. C. Maisonneuve; Part V. Conclusion: 31. Lacewings in crops: towards the future P. K. McEwen, T. R. New and A. E. Whittington; Taxonomic index; General index.