Is Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) capable of controling Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in rose bushes?

Some phytophagous arthropods species acquire full potential to reach pest status, thus knowledge of control strategies is crucial. The use of biological agents is a promising tactic and, in this sense, it is key to identify the natural enemies that can act to control the phytophagous species. Selenothrips rubrocinctus is a thrips species recently found associated with roses (Rosa spp.) The objective of this work is to study the predatory capacity, the functional response and both search and handling times of Chrysoperla externa under S. rubrocinctus associated with roses. The bioassays were carried out for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars of C. externa, offering nymphs of S. rubrocinctus, under controlled conditions of laboratory. Chrysoperla externa larvae have great predatory capacity on S. rubrocinctus nymphs. Third instar larvae consumed a greater number of prey and had both shorter search and handling time. Their ability and voracity to control the pest was shown. The type II functional response confirmed that C. externa consumption rate was directly related to prey density, and a higher consumption rate whenever available at higher densities was verified.