Evaluation of four lacewing species for aphid control in sweet pepper

Abstract: Four species of lacewings were evaluated for control of the peach aphid Myzuspersicae in sweet pepper. Chrysopa perla was very effective in controlling aphids, probablybecause the adults also consume aphids. All other lacewings did not reduce aphids’ numberssufficiently. Chrysoperla lucasina was establishing better than Chrysoperla affinis. Thehemerobiid Micromus variegatus seems to prefer the lower plant parts. Since this species isrelatively small, more individuals are needed to control aphids. Preliminary releases in largegreenhouses suggest that none of the lacewing species establish well when released as adults.Further research is needed to trigger them to stay and oviposit into a sweet pepper crop.