Ceraeochrysa claveri Navás (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a predator found in several agricultural ecosystems and it preys on small and soft body insects. Its high reproductive potential and forage capacity makes it able of preying eggs and larvae of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) internally hidden on cabbage head, where other natural enemies usually do not reach. These characteristics are important when choosing this predator to be used within biological control programs. This search evaluated the C. claveri development, reproduction, as well as the consumption of P. xylostella eggs and larvae under laboratory conditions. Therefore, it was evaluated the following diets: 1) eggs; 2) larvae of second ínstar; 3) eggs + larvae of second ínstar. The development and the viability of the immature forms of C. claveri were better in the diets containing eggs of P. xylostella. Also, the egg laying and adult longevity were greater with these diets, independently of the larvae presence. However, the diet type did not affect the sexual rate and the weight of the larvae after eight days of living. On average, each C. claveri larva was able of preying 1611 eggs or 135 second-ínstar larvae of P. xylostella during its development. The predator was able to increase its population 218 times after 42 days, feeding exclusively on P. xylostella eggs. Based on these results, this predator presents a great potential of being used within biological control programs of P. xylostella.
life table; biological control; predation; diamondback moth
