ABSTRACT
This work was aimed to evaluate the response of adults of Chrysoperla externa fed different diets. Adults from F2 offspring were individualized in PVC cages and received food, formed by yeast + honey (standard diet), sugarcane yeast + honey and soy extract
+ honey, at 1:1. The bioassays were conducted at 25 ± 2º C, 60 ± 10% of RH and 12-hour photophase. Over a period of 60 days, evaluations were made of the period of pre-oviposition, daily and total oviposition, the viability of the eggs and the exploitation index (EI). It was verified that the diet containing sugarcane yeast + honey was similar to the standard diet. It was also verified that no diet interfered with the pre-oviposition and egg viability. Only for the insects fed soy extract + honey was there a significant reduction in the values of the daily and total oviposition and the exploitation index. Under the tested conditions and proportions, the diet formed by sugarcane yeast + honey was suitable for the rearing of C. externa adults, and can be used to replace the diet formed by yeast + honey.
KEY WORDS
Biological control; green lacewing; mass rearing