First association of Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider, 1851) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) with Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and evaluation of predation

Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a polyphagous pest introduced in Brazil in 2010. It has been successfully controlled in other countries by the employment of its natural enemies. Based in the economic importance of this pest plus the potential of chrysopids as its controlling agents, herein we report for the first time in Brazil the association of Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider, 1851) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) with this pseudococcid, evaluate the consumption of females of M. hirsutus by larvae of C. cincta, and the development of this predator when fed with that prey. Five hatched larvae of C. cincta from F2 generation were isolated in a Petri dish in controlled ambient, and fed with ten immature plus ten adult females of M. hirsutus offered and counted daily. The three instars of the predator were considered as distinct treatments. From five C. cincta larvae fed with M. hirsutus, only one had reached adulthood after 28 days. The mean duration of the C. cincta larval period was 20.73 days, with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars being 6.40, 5.33 and 9.00 days respectively, but without significantly differences. A mean of 80 immatures and ca. 17 adults of M. hirsutus were predated by the C. cincta in its larval period, with the 3rd instar being the phase of highest consumption of the prey. Based in our results, M. hirsutus is probably not a primary prey of C. cincta, but this chrysopid could be used as an alternative or complementary predator to control this pest.