Rearing Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera : Chrysopidae) on Chemically Defined Diets

Abstract

Larvae of lacewings developed into adults on four chemically defined diets of different amino acid composition. The diets were composed of 23 amino acids, sucrose, trehalose, 5 organic acids, 6 fatty acids, cholesterol, 11 mineral salts, and 17 vitamins. The adults on the best diet produced more than 1, 000 eggs over 2 months.