Although there is a lot of good research on Chrysopidae, there is a significant amount of missing information. Further research could greatly improve the use of lacewings as biological control agents.
This post will cover:
- Insect Bioecology and Nutrition for IPM‘s suggestions on applied research
- My own ideas for potential lacewing research
There are a significant number of Chrysopidae species (upwards of 1200), however relatively few of them are known well biologically. Diversification of the species used in IPM could be significantly beneficial, as some species exhibit different photoaxis responses, are active during different times of the day, and thrive in different environments. There is a lack of research outside of a few genera, and this can be a serious problem, as the information known from them may not apply to other species, leaving a need for sweeping changes.
Biosystematics of lacewings could also be improved. It can be very difficult to identify at a species level, and C. carnea is likely composed of many different species. Additionally, prey associations could be studied more thoroughly.
Chemical ecology and nutrition of lacewings has missing information as well. Some studies they recommend are on the role of symbiotic yeasts, nutritional and nueroendocrine influence of pollen on reproductive performance, and on ingestion, digestion and absorption, with a focus on the larval extra-oral secretions.
Ideas for Research
My main idea for a research trial would be to observe how different species of lacewings react to prey on different host plants. Different crops could be tested, and have a pest introduced to them. It would be interesting to know how well different species performed here, and this experiment could be conducted many times with several types of pests (or perhaps even combinations), which would be useful for establishing which species of lacewing to apply to which crop. The host plant appears to play a significant role in lacewing performance and it would be interesting to see what conditions they thrive in, or where they are lacking.
It would also be interesting to study how nectaries and hedgerows affect lacewing populations, although this would likely be difficult and time consuming to study meaningfully within the system, especially because many are active only at night. I know there have been some studies conducted on this, however it could certainly be useful information for an organic system.
I also find the symbiotic yeast really intriguing, as those who have it seem to have co-evolved trachea that helps oxygenate them. I’m very curious to know the purpose of that. If I continue Neuroptera research in grad school, this may be something I pursue.