Population dynamics of Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Esben-Petersen) fed with different hosts: Prospects for mass rearing and augmentative release

Abstract

Accurate demographic projections are essential for identifying prey diets that enhance predator efficiency in augmentative biological control. The predatory lacewing Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Esben-Petersen) (CZS) was evaluated using the age-stage, two-sex life-table method when reared on sterilized and unsterilized Corcyra cephalonica eggs, C. cephalonica neonates, and Tribolium castaneum. Stage-specific survival, fecundity, life expectancy, and reproductive value were quantified, and key population parameters were estimated through bootstrap resampling. The intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.16 day⁻¹) and finite rate of increase (λ = 1.17 day⁻¹) were highest on both sterilized and unsterilized C. cephalonica eggs, indicating superior demographic performance and rapid population growth. In contrast, diets based on C. cephalonica neonates or T. castaneum resulted in markedly lower growth potential. Population projection curves confirmed a faster build-up on unsterilized eggs, primarily due to enhanced juvenile survival and early adult fecundity. However, reliance on unsterilized eggs entails cannibalism, biosecurity risks, including pathogen and parasitoid contamination. Notably, sterilized eggs supported comparable demographic outcomes while ensuring safer and more sustainable predator multiplication. These findings demonstrate that diet quality decisively shapes predator demography and establish sterilized C. cephalonica eggs as the most practical and reliable prey resource for insectary production and augmentative release of CZS.