ABSTRACT
The lacewings are important predators found in several agricultural systems associated to many pests. Some abiotic factors can interfere in its performance, the temperature being an important factor in its development. So, this work was carried out to evaluate the effect of different temperatures on different Ceraeochrysa paraguaria (Navás) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) development stages in the laboratory. Eggs around 24h were individualized in glass tubes and kept at 15 ± 2º C, 20 ± 2º C and 25 ± 2º C; 60 ± 10 RH and 12h of light. The larvae were fed with Sitotroga cerealella eggs (Oliver) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Evaluations were made of the viability of the egg, of each instar, the larval stage and the pupae (pre-pupae + pupae) viability too; and the developmental time of these stages. It was observed that the developmental time of C. paraguaria in different development stages decreased as the temperature increased and the viability decreased as the temperature decreased, evidencing the important role of the temperature on this lacewing species development. The temperature of 15º C did not allow development of immature stages of C. paraguaria and at 25º C there was obtained the best and the least time of development for this species, and there was also observed a higher viability of the development stages.
KEY WORDS:
Lacewing; embryonic development; post embryonic development; temperature.