Voracity and Searching Ability of Chrysopa Signata (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Micromus Tasmaniae (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae), and Tropiconabis Capsiformis (Hemiptera: Nabidae).

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Numbers of Heliothis punctigera attacked/day in petri dishes increased exponentially with successive immature stages of the predators and changed during each stage. The 3rd stage, C. signata and adult female, T. capsiformis, were the most voracious predatory stages. They consumed similar number of eggs and 1st instars, but T. capsiformis was the more voracious predator of 3rd instars. M. tasmaniae consumed few H. punctigera. Searching efficiency of 1 stage of each predator was studed at 5 H. punctigera egg densities on cotton plants. The 2nd instar, C. signata were more efficient predators than were 3rd instar, T. capsiformis, while 3rd instar, M. tasmaniae attacked very few eggs.