The aim of this research was to study the biological aspects, predatory capacity and functional response of the immature stages of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) fed on the aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), in five densities of prey utilizing nymphs of second and third instars. The experiments were carried out in climatic chambers at 25 ± 1ºC, RH of 70 ± 10% and 12-h photophase. For studying the biology, the design was completely randomized with five replicates and eight insects/replicate, having a total of 40 larvae and, for the functional response, the treatments were composed by five densities of prey and five replicates, with two insects/replicate. The readings were done at 24, 48 hours and in the end of each instar. The consumption increased proportionally to the function of the development stages of the larva, with a higher one in the third instar with 279.1 aphids, representing about 82% of the consumption. A length of 11 days for the larval stage was observed, and a survival rate of 100% in all stages. It was possible to observe a higher consumption and length for the three instars and larval stage, related to the increase in prey densities. The functional response of Type II was observed for all instars. The lowest searching time for the average prey density was verified for second and third instars larvae, and the first instar presented the higher handling time.
Functional response; green lacewing; corn leaf aphid
