The genome sequence of the common green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836)

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Chrysoperla carnea (a common green lacewing; Arthropoda; Insecta; Neuroptera; Chrysopidae). The genome sequence is 560 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly (95.70%) is scaffolded into six chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X sex chromosome assembled. Gene annotation of this assembly by the NCBI Eukaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline has identified 12,985 protein coding genes.

Conspecific neighbors and kinship influence egg cannibalism in the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens)

Background Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is an illustrious predator that performs cannibalism upon facing small and defenseless conspecifics. Eating preference of C. carnea larvae was investigated between conspecific and host (Sitotroga cerealella) eggs. Early instars of C. carnea express significant preference toward conspecific eggs over host eggs. Experiments were carried out to examine the role of conspecific neighbors in execution of cannibalistic decision. These cannibalistic behaviors of larvae were also investigated through locomotion bioassays using the video tracking software ANY-maze®. Results Larvae commit low egg cannibalism when alone but express higher cannibalism in the presence of conspecific larvae in the neighborhood. The role of relatedness in egg cannibalism was investigated when larvae were offered a choice between conspecific eggs from related and unrelated parents. Larvae did a discrimination between eggs of their own parents and those of other parents. Conclusion Behavioral bioassays showed attraction toward conspecific eggs and the eggs of unrelated parents. This study emphasizes the significance of informational and descriptive cues that modulate the cannibalistic expression in C. carnea.

INSECTICIDAL EVALUATION OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF INDIGENOUS PLANTS IN COMPARISON WITH SYNTHETIC INSECTICIDE FOR THE MANAGMENENT OF THRIPS Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysnaoptera; Thripidae) IN TOMATO CROP

Insecticidal evaluation of aqueous extracts of indigenous plant extracts in comparison with synthetic insecticide against Thrips (Scirotothrips dorsalis) on tomato was conducted under natural field condition during spring 2019. Experiment consists of 8 treatments (neem extract, tobacco extract, garlic extract, datura extract, lantana extract, eucalyptus extract, flonicamid (synthetic insecticide) and control following RCB Design with 3 replications. Treatments were applied thrice after 15 days interval. Results revealed that the three times application of the tested treatments showed varying toxicity against S. dorsalis 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days after spray applications while ladybird beetle and green lacewing were also significantly affected when recorded 7 days after spray application. However, Flonicamid 50%WG proved to be the most effective till 7th and had lowest pest population followed datura and neem extract. neem extract in all the three spray application . Garlic and eucalyptus also produced significant results compared to control. Neem, tobacco, datura and flonicamid were found to be comparatively more hazardous to ladybird beetle and green lacewing population compared to eucalyptus, garlic and lantana to in all three spray application. Tomato yield was highest with flonicamid (12533 kg/ha) followed by datura and neem (11810 kg/ha and 11300 kg/ha) respectively, while lowest (8133 kg/ha) in control. It is concluded from the current research that flonicamid performed better against S. dorsalis but comparatively more hazardous to natural enemies however lantana, garlic and eucalyptus extract showed better result against S. dorsalis and comparatively safe towards natural enemies thus recommended to be incorporated in IPM program.

Olfactory Response of the Green Lacewing Chrysoperla Externa to Volatile Organic Compounds of Eucalyptus Urograndis

The evaluation of the direct effects of the relationship between plants and predators without considering the participation of herbivores can provide vital information for the study of ecological interactions and integrated pest management. In this context, the present work studied the behavioral responses of Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) larvae to the volatile organic compounds of young and mature, undamaged and damaged leaves of Eucalyptus urograndis (Myrtaceae), and investigate the chemical composition of leaf essential oils and their effects on the green lacewing. The responses of the C. externa larvae to the odors emitted by leaves were evaluated by an experimental behavior test using a Y-tube olfactometer. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation of the young and mature leaves with and without damage. The larvae respond attractively to the volatiles emitted without the participation of herbivores, and it selected preferentially odors emitted by young leaves with simulated herbivory. The chemical composition was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. This research identified 32 compounds; some of them had not been identified in other studies. Young leaves had a higher content of essential oil compared to mature leaves. Among the compounds identified, eucalyptol, α-Terpineol, Aromadendrene, and α-Terpinyl acetate are the major compounds. An inversion in the content of eucalyptol (which decreases) and α-terpinyl acetate (which increases) is observed when young and mature leaves are damage. Thus, this work contributed with basic data on the potential use of eucalyptus forests as maintainers of natural chrysopids populations.

The Neotropical green lacewing genus Ceraeochrysa Adams (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)—new synonymies and combinations, a new species, and an updated key to species

Ceraeochrysa Adams, 1982, with ~60 species, is a diverse and relatively well studied New World genus of green lacewings. However, nomenclatural problems and misidentifications persist; undescribed species continue to be found; and species determinations remain difficult. Here, we address several problematic issues within the genus, and we justify the following taxonomic changes: Part 1 synonymizes Ceraeochrysa rafaeli Adams & Penny syn. n. and Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) nigropictus Freitas & Penny syn. n. with Ceraeochrysa discolor (Navás). Part 2 identifies Ceraeochrysa adynatos (Freitas & Penny) comb. n. as the new name for Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) adynatos Freitas & Penny. Part 3 renames Chrysopa sarta Banks as Ceraeochrysa sarta (Banks) comb. n, and identifies it as conspecific with Ceraeochrysa berlandi (Navás) syn. n. Part 4 names Chrysopa poujadei Navás as Ceraeochrysa poujadei (Navás) comb. n. and also identifies its new synonyms—Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) laevus (Navás) syn. n. and Ceraeochrysa forcipata Freitas & Penny syn. n. Part 5 redescribes the enigmatic Ceraeochrysa silvanoi (Navás) and recognizes Ceraeochrysa tucumana (Navás) syn. n. as its junior synonym. Part 6 describes a new Ceraeochrysa species: Ceraeochrysa paraensis Sosa sp. n. from Brazil. Finally, to help facilitate species identifications, Part 7 incorporates all new species and all taxonomic changes made since the last revision of the genus (2009) into an updated key to the currently valid species of Ceraeochrysa. Lectotypes are designated for three species: C. discolor Navás, C. sarta Banks, and C. tucumana Navás.

Apertochrysa Tjeder, 1966, a new senior synonym of Pseudomallada Tsukaguchi, 1995 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae: Chrysopinae: Chrysopini)

Apertochrysa Tjeder, 1966, is identified as a new senior subjective synonym of the large, subcosmopolitan, green lacewing genus currently known under the name Pseudomallada Tsukaguchi, 1995. Apertochrysa is rediagnosed and the taxonomic consequences of the new synonymy are reviewed. New combinations are created in Apertochrysa for 165 species formerly placed in Pseudomallada and for two species formerly placed in Mallada; three species are transferred from Pseudomallada back to previously-established combinations in Apertochrysa; and 13 additional species are retained in Apertochrysa from previous placements. This brings the total number of Apertochrysa species to 183.