PLANT PROTECTION 1 – Pests, Diseases and Weeds

PLANT PROTECTION 1 – Pests, Diseases and Weeds
ORDER NEUROPTERA
Lacewings, antlions, aphidlions
NO. SPECIES
IN AUSTRALIA
SOME
DISTINCTIVE
FEATURES
LIFE CYCLE
More than 600 species. Important predators. Common throughout most of
Australia, common on native vegetation such as flowering eucalypts and in
suburban garden and homes, some are attracted to lights at night and will release
a strong smell when disturbed.
www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/neuroptera.html
www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_lacewings/index.html
ADULT Body Small to medium-sized, elongate, fragile, up to 50mm long.
Wings Two pairs nearly equal lace-like wings with a network of
veins. Wings held tent-like over body when at rest. Wing
spans ranging from 5-150mm.
Head 1. Prominent head.
2. Large compound eyes, ocelli absent.
3. Antennae long and thread-like or clubbed.
Abdomen No cerci.
LARVA 1. Active predators, some larva are called antlions, aphidlions.
2. Modified chewing mouthparts for clasping prey.
3. Three pairs of thoracic legs.
There is a complete metamorphosis - egg, larva, pupa and adult. Some species
have several generations each year and some in colder areas take up to 2 years.
Lacewing
Many variations
in life cycle
.
BIOLOGICAL
CONTROL
AGENTS
The native green lacewing (Mallada insigna) and brown lacewing
(Micromus Tasmania) can be purchased in Australia as general predators of
small insects. They may not be economically viable.
List of suppliers www.goodbugs.org.au/
METHOD OF
FEEDING
ADULT
LARVA
Chewing mouthparts. Adults may feed on soft sap sucking insects, eg
aphids and scales, honeydew, pollen and nectar. May be attracted to
crops by offering yeast, sugar and water. Overseas, adult clusters can
be conserved during winter in chambers at temperatures which ensure
their survival until spring.
Modified chewing mouthparts for sucking. Most are active
predators of other insects, eg ants, aphids, mites, thrips, whitefly, in
the USA also azalea lace bug (Stephanotis pyrioides). Some larvae, eg
antlions, in sandy areas often trap their prey in pits, small insects fall
into the pit where they are grabbed and eaten by the antlion which is
waiting just below the surface. Many larvae adorn themselves with the
dried bodies of their victims. Strips of lacewing eggs can be attached
to a pest-infested plant, eggs hatch and larvae clean up the pests.
Insects and allied pests - Neuroptera (lacewings) 129