Bioecología del depredador Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) como agente de control biológico de insectos plagas en cultivos de ciclo corto

Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) has a wide distribution, adaptability, speed and forcefulness when preying on its hosts. Most species of the Chrysoperla genus are insects that have good adaptation to different agroecosystems as well as resistance to numerous chemicals. The objective of this research work is to detail the bioecological characteristics, identify the main prey and report the efficiency of the control of C. externa in its different hosts. This work was done by compiling updated information found in scientific articles, and physical and virtual libraries. The predator C. external has biological characteristics that make it suitable for breeding and multiplication to finally be used as one of the appropriate biological control agents. C. externa presents a long list of prey such as mites, whiteflies, aphids, thrips, among others, but all of them are insect pests of the main agricultural products. The predator C. external is a generalist, which makes it an interesting insect in the biological control of many pests. However, the host Planococcus citri was the only host that affects its biology. The control efficiency of C. externa is conclusively demonstrated, but it is also enhanced when pesticide or biological products that do not significantly affect the development and control efficiency of C. externa are used correctly. The predator C. external is efficient when controlling most of its prey in short-cycle crops.

Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) has a wide distribution, adaptability, speed and forcefulness when preying on its hosts. Most species of the Chrysoperla genus are insects that have good adaptation to different agroecosystems as well as resistance to numerous chemicals. The objective of this research work is to detail the bioecological characteristics, identify the main prey and report the efficiency of the control of C. externa in its different hosts. This work was done by compiling updated information found in scientific articles, and physical and virtual libraries. The predator C. external has biological characteristics that make it suitable for breeding and multiplication to finally be used as one of the appropriate biological control agents. C. externa presents a long list of prey such as mites, whiteflies, aphids, thrips, among others, but all of them are insect pests of the main agricultural products. The predator C. external is a generalist, which makes it an interesting insect in the biological control of many pests. However, the host Planococcus citri was the only host that affects its biology. The control efficiency of C. externa is conclusively demonstrated, but it is also enhanced when pesticide or biological products that do not significantly affect the development and control efficiency of C. externa are used correctly. The predator C. external is efficient when controlling most of its prey in short-cycle crops.

Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) posee una amplia distribución, adaptabilidad, rápides y contundencia a la hora de depredar a sus huéspedes. La mayorias de especies del genero Chrysoperla son insectos que presentan buena adaptación a diferentes agroecosistemas además de resistencia a numerosos productos químicos. El objetivo de este trabajo de investigación es Detallar las características bioecológicas, identificar las principales presas y reportar la eficiencia del control de C. externa en sus diferentes hospederos. El presente trabajo se lo hizo mediante la recopilación de información actualizada encontrada en artículos científicos, y biblioteca física y virtual. El depredador C. externa posee características biológicas que lo hacen apto para la cría y multiplicación para finalmente destinarlo como uno de los agentes de control biológico debido. C. externa presenta una larga lista de presas como los son los ácaros, la mosca blanca, los pulgones, los trips, entre otros, pero todos ellos, insectos plagas de los principales productos agrícolas. El depredador C. externa, es generalista lo que lo torna un insecto interesante en el control biológico de muchas plagas, Sin embrago el hospedero Planococcus citri, fue el único huésped que afecta su biología. La eficiencia de control de C. externa es demostrada contundentemente, pero, además, es potencializada cuando se usa de forma correcta productos plaguicidas o biológicos que no afectan significativamente el desarrollo y eficiencia de control de C. externa. El depredador C. externa es eficiente al momento de controlar la mayoría de sus presas en los cultivos de ciclo corto.