Effect of Adult Food Supplements on Reproductive Attributes and Longevity of Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Tesfaye Adane1, Gautam R.D. Plant Health Clinic, Division of Entomology, I.A.R.I., New Delhi 110 012, India. * Division of Crop Protection, Sirinka Agricultural Research Center, P.Q. Box 74, Woldia, Ethiopia. Abstract Adult food supplements influenced oviposition period, post-oviposition period and fecundity significantly, while pre-oviposition period and longevity were not affected. Maximum eggs/female (1245.2) were laid when adults supplemented with the baker's yeast granules + 50% honey followed by baker's yeast granules + castor pollen + 50% honey (1069.2) and castor pollen + 50% honey (450) as compared to control, i.e. 50% honey (80). The oviposition ranged between 6.14 -27.11 eggs/day when fed on different adult food supplements. Productive age of female was observed up to 8, 9, 8 and 4 weeks when fed on baker's yeast granules + castor pollen + 50% honey, baker's yeast granules + 50% honey, castor pollen + 50% honey and only 50% honey, respectively. Top Key words Castor pollen, Chrysoperla carnea, Fecundity, Food supplements. Top |