Artigo
Population dynamics of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in a silvopastoral system
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OLIVEIRA, S. A. de et al. Population dynamics of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in a silvopastoral system. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, [S. l.], v. 4, n. 4, p. 179-182, Apr. 2012.
Author
Oliveira, Simone Alves de
Auad, Alexander Machado
Souza, Brígida
Fonseca, Marcy das Graças
Resende, Tiago Teixeira
Institutions
Abstract
In this study we investigated lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in a silvopastoral system. The study
was conducted between July, 2006 and June, 2008 in a pasture with Brachiaria decumbens and trees.
Adult specimens were caught twice a month by using a malaise trap, while the larvae were caught in the
shoots of fodder and by visual observation. Flowering panicles were also observed for the presence of
immature specimens. All adult lacewings (1186) belonging to one species Chrysoperla externa (Hagen,
1861). The adult population peaked between April and June, but this occurrence was significantly
affected by temperature and rainfall. We only captured 8 adult lacewings by using the malaise traps.
There was a significant correlation between the number of immature specimens and relative humidity
and the number of captured adults. A higher population density of larval and adult lacewings was
associated with the flowering of signalgrass, leading to the inference that pollen was used as a source
of protein. This strategy ensures that these predators remain on crops during periods of prey scarcity.