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

Abstract

Numbers of Heliothis punctigera attacked per day in petri dishes increased exponentially with successive immature. stages of the predators, and also changed during each stage. Third-stage Chrysopa signata and adult female Tropiconabis capsiformis were the most voracious predatory stages. They consumed similar numbers of eggs and first instars, but T. capsiformis was the more voracious predator of third instars. Micromus tasmaniae consumed few H. punctigera. Searching efficiency of one stage of each predator was studied at five H. punctigera egg densities on cotton plants. Second-instar C. signata were more efficient predators than were third-instar T. capsiformis, while third-instar M, tasmaniae attacked very few eggs.