Chrysoperla species include well-known predators of aphids and other soft-bodied arthropods. As such, they are considered important biological control agents of herbivorous pests in agroecosystems where many of green lacewings species occur. Despite the high number of species of the genus Chrysoperla, only a few have been assessed for the predation efficiency of their larvae against pests infesting plants, and even fewer are currently marketed for use in biocontrol practice. Difficulties in species identification within the Chrysoperla carnea complex species in particular has been related to varying success of commercial C. carnea s.l. releases in the field. In this study, we assessed the ability of two Chrysoperla species, Chrysoperla agilis a member of the carnea cryptic species group, and Chrysoperla mutata of the pudica group to consume aphid and mealybug individuals and suppress their populations in sweet pepper plants. We found that third-instar larvae of both species were able to consume a high number of aphids (approximately 120 nymphs per larva) and mealybugs (approximately 105 nymphs per larva) within 24 h. Furthermore, the release of second-instar larvae of both C. agilis and C. mutata was shown to be remarkably efficient in suppressing the pest populations in long-term greenhouse experiments. Aphid populations were suppressed by approximately 98% and mealybugs by 78% as compared to control plants. Our results highlight the predation efficiency and the biocontrol potential of two widespread Chrysoperla species for their use in pest control.

Mealybug is an important pest of cassava plant in Thailand and tropical countries, leading to severe damage of crop yield. One of the most successful controls of mealybug spread is using its natural enemies such as green lacewings, where the development of mathematical models forecasting mealybug population dynamics improves implementation of biological control. In this work, the Sharpe–Lotka–McKendrick equation is extended and combined with an integro-differential equation to study population dynamics of mealybugs (prey) and released green lacewings (predator). Here, an age-dependent formula is employed for mealybug population. The solutions and the stability of the system are considered. The steady age distributions and their bifurcation diagrams are presented. Finally, the threshold of the rate of released green lacewings for mealybug extermination is investigated.

This paper justifies the need for a single taxonomic work providing a key to the common mealybugs of tropical Africa, and provides such a key for identification of some adult mealybugs of Central Africa. If users find that their specimens do not fit into the key, then the specimens are probably other species and should be sent to an expert for identification.

In an experiment to test the efficiency of carbofuran, as furadan 5G, as an oil palm nursery insecticide, its rate of application is recommended at 1.5 g furadan 5G per plant, which had no adverse physiological effects on seedlings. The number of mealybugs/plant was reduced by between 58 and 95% with increasing application of carbofuran, and the percentage of transplantable seedlings increased by about 6%. The percentage of stunted seedlings decreased with decreasing numbers of mealybugs. Major nursery pests identified were Temnoschoita quadrimaculata and mealybugs (Pseudococous sp.). Minor pests identified were Arantia rectifolia, Eulioptera reticulata, Homeogryllus reticulatus and Pyrgomorpha sp.