Populations, longevity, mortality and fecundity of Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) from olive-orchards with different agricultural management systems

The influence that different styles of olive-orchard management (conventional, integrated, and organic) exert on the predator Chrysoperla carnea has been studied to strengthen this insect’s role in the integrated management against pests. For this, the adult chrysopid populations were determined by McPhail traps, and laboratory examinations were made of certain biological characteristics of the first generation of adults captured in each of the olive orchards studied. The chrysopid populations increasing significantly during some months in the integrated and organic olive orchard. The most abundant species in all the zones was C. carnea, representing 95% of all captures in the conventional olive orchard. It was found that the larvae from the integrated olive orchard took longer to develop, while the pupae from the organic orchard evolved most rapidly to adulthood. The highest mortality rate was for larvae in the conventional olive orchard. The fecundity of the females from the organic orchards was significantly greater, presumably due to their greater longevity and shorter pre-oviposition period. These results can be used to improve conservation strategies and to increase C. carnea populations and their predatory activity.