ABSTRACT
In the larval stage, Chrysoperla (Steiman) species feed on various agricultural pests. So far, only Chrysoperla externa had been recorded on cotton crops in Argentina. Towards the end of 1994, Chrysoperla chaquensis was discovered in the province of Salta, being predominant in the western region of the Argentinian cotton area, while C. externa is abundant in the eastern region. Efforts at rearing both species were successful, with higher production levels in C. chaquensis, showing the advantage of a shorter life cycle than C. externa. A daily yield of 500,000 eggs was reached for C. chaquensis that were used for inundative and inoculative releases on cotton crops aimed at the control of aphids and the eggs and first instar larvae of bollworm and leafworm. Cotton yields for areas treated parcels with this predator, supplemented with two treatments of Bacillus thuringiensis, were comparable to those reached in fields with 11 - 12 conventional insecticide treatments.

Back to Table of contents