Trophic relationship between Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Planococcus citri (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) associated with rose bushes

This study aimed to determine the consumption of Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) nymphs and predator:prey ratio required for high predatory efficacy survival Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) larvae under different densities prey, reared in rose bushes. Consumption by first-, second-, third-instar C. was assessed. The efficiency predator were calculated second instar 20, 40, 80, 120, 160 P. ratios 1:5, 1:10, 1:20. assessments performed after 24 48 hours exposure between species. There increasing throughout larval development externa. 1:5 1:10 most efficient population reduction, but led lower than 1:20 ratios. a positive correlation density cannibalism (ρ = 0.45) negative -0.81). Third-instar consume more second-instar larvae. Second-instar this lacewing released at caused total mortality mealybug within hours, regardless citri, with