Using flower strips to promote green lacewings to control cabbage insect pests

Abstract Habitat management improves biological control by increasing the abundance and fitness of natural enemies through provision floral resources along field edges or between crops. Among reliant on flower resources, green lacewings often stand out due to their abundance, predation capacity polyphagy. We evaluated impact tailored strips enhancement enemies, especially lacewings, in three organic cabbage ( Brassica oleracea ) farms Southern Sweden. Insects were sampled from strips, pests predators visually recorded crop. In a laboratory assay, pollen feeding preferences Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836) dual-choice test. The consumed Chrysopidae was extracted specimens, then quantified identified. Flower found attract parasitoids, whose increased as flowers bloomed. Cabbage plants next showed lower pest infestation compared plant control, although no significant differences observed number predators. used feeding, reproduction shelter sites mainly Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. Under conditions, C. preference for P. Coriandrum sativum L. over Borago officinalis Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. show that could be an efficient tool enhancing beneficial arthropods should considered integrated