TY  - JOUR
JF  - Acarologia
T1  - Predatory potential of Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) against Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)
VL  - 66
IS  - 4
SP  - 890
EP  - 900
PY  - 2026
SN  - 0044-586X
SN  - 2107-7207
PB  - Les Amis d'Acarologia
AU  - Rodrigues, Iasmym de Cássia A.
AU  - Rêgo, Adriano S.
AU  - Viteri, Luis O.
AU  - Amaral, Ester A.
AU  - Araujo, Raimunda N.L.
AU  - Teodoro, Adenir V.
UR  - https://doi.org/10.24349/qvg0-xzzk
DO  - 10.24349/qvg0-xzzk
DA  - 2026-10-02
ET  - 2026-10-02
KW  - coconut
KW  - biological control
KW  - functional response
KW  - green lacewing
KW  - red palm mite
AB  - The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), is an important pest of coconut plantations in tropical countries. Ecologically sound control strategies have been sought for this pest; however, biological control using native green lacewings against R. indica remains poorly investigated. The present study evaluated the predatory capacity of Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to control adult females of R. indica. To this end, the predation capacity of first-, second-, and third-instar larvae of C. cubana on adult females of R. indica was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Prey densities varied from 5 to 160 females of R. indica for first-instar C. cubana; 50 to 600 for second instars; and 100 to 700 for third instars. Logistic regression analysis of the number of prey consumed yielded a negative linear coefficient for the first instar (indicating a type II functional response); however, the second and third instars showed a positive linear coefficient (indicative of a type III functional response). The second instar of C. cubana exhibited the highest attack rate, indicating the most efficient prey capture, whereas the lower handling time of the third instar resulted in the greatest maximum consumption rate (1/Th) and efficiency. The first-instar larvae of C. cubana exhibited a significantly lower consumption of adult R. indica females compared to the latter instars. In conclusion, C. cubana shows promising potential as a biological control agent of R. indica, as the high voracity of its later instars enhances predatory efficiency and may contribute to the suppression of this pest.
ER -