Influence of geographical origin, physiological status, and environmental factors on mass rearing and storage of the predator Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera:Chrysopidae)

The predator Chrysoperla carnea is commercially mass-reared and widely distributed for augmentative biological control. An essential aspect in the mass-production and distribution of this predator is the development of an efficient, reliable mass-rearing and storage system, so that large numbers can be accumulated for use when needed. My study examined the influence of geographical origin, physiological status, as well as rearing and storage conditions on (a) the shelf-life of stored adults, (b) their subsequent reproduction, and (c) the quality of F;Geographical populations of C. carnea (carnea and mohave biotypes) differed in some aspects of nondiapause reproduction (preoviposition period, duration and rate of oviposition). Similarly, post-diapause reproduction varied among four populations of the carnea biotype. Nevertheless, there were no obstacles to the efficient mass production (both with and without storage) of diverse populations of this predator.;The physiological state of C. carnea adults during storage (cold-induced quiescence, artificially-induced diapause versus natural diapause) influenced post-storage reproduction and the quality (developmental rates, survival) of the F;The investigations showed that photoperiod and temperature can be modified to increase the shelf-life and post-storage reproduction of C. carnea adults. Low temperature (5...