Mass Multiplication of Green Lacewing Predators

Green lacewing predators are important natural enemies of several insect pests of agricultural and horticultural crops. Successful pest management strategy needs large scale augmentative release of predators. A large scale mass production technology is a pre-requisite to achieve this. In this book, the research work involving the mass rearing of larvae and adult of three chrysopids viz., Chrysoperla carnea, Mallada astur and Mallada desjardinsi on safe prey of frozen grubs of red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum and semi synthetic medium "power packed green lacewing feed". Effect of adult feed supplements on fecundity, hatchability and longevity of the chrysopids are described in detail. Our book contains useful information on large scale mass production technology of green lacewing predators for researchers in biological control, farmers and IPM practitioners.

Dr. R. Maruthadurai got his Master's and Doctoral degree in Entomology from Indian Agricultural Research Institute,Pusa, New Delhi. He specialised in biological control of insect pests. He is currently working as Scientist (Agricultural Entomology) in ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Ela, old Goa (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Goa,India.