Ceraeochrysa placita (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) : Generic Characteristics of Larvae, Larval Descriptions, and Life Cycle CATHERINE A. TAUBER,TERESA DE LEON, j. ISABEL LOPEZ ARROYO, AP\D MAURICE J. TAUBER Department of Entomology, Cornstock Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 11833-0901 Ann. Entornol. Soc. Am. 91 (5):608-618 (1998) ABSTRACT The 3 instars of Ceraeocl~nj~saplacita (Banks) express all the traits that typify trash- carrying lacewing lmae in the tribe Chrysopini: short. broad bodies; thorax with elongate, setaceous tubercles; abdomen humped, bearing hooked setae dorsally. Based on our comparison of C. placita larvae with descriptions of larvae in other trash-carrying chrysopine genera, we propose a tentative definition of Cei-aeochrysa larvae. In addition, to aid in identif>-ingC. placita larvae, we list a series of traits that distinguishes C. placita from previously described New World trash-carrying chry- sopines. One of these traits appears unique to C. placita: in addition to the 2 or 3 long setae that typically occur at the apex of the dorsolateral thoracic tubercles of all chrysopine 1st instars, on C. placita each tubercle also bears a short. stout seta apically. Whether this trait is apomorphic for Ceraeochrysa, or for C. placita, is an open question. Finally, we present a series of biological traits that distinguishes C. placita. Eggs are laid on the trunks of medium- to large-sized trees, which are also feeding sites for prediapause larvae. It has a uni\roltine life cycle. and the 2nd instar is the overwintering stage. Photoperiod strongly influences the life cycle; short daylengths retard devel- opment in 1st instars, induce diapause in 2nd instars, and may have a role in postdiapause devel- opment. Compared with other chrysopids, C. placita's incubation and preoviposition periods are long. KEY WORDS Chrysopidae, larval morphology, diapause, photoperiod. oviposition, de\relopment Ceraeochqsa, A L.4RGE NEW World genus of green provides n~orphologicaldescriptions of its 3 instars, lacewings, contains =35 described species (Adanis and presents aspects of the developmental and over- 1982, Adams and Penny 1983, Brooks and Barnard wintering biology of C placzta It offers a comprehen- 1990, Penny 1997). Most of these species inhabit sub- sive evaluation of the larval features of a Cemeocl~rysn tropical and tropical regions, where they occur in a species. variety of natural, horticultural and agricultural hab- itats. Several species show great potential as classical or augmentative biological control agents (e.g.,Adanis Materials and Methods and Penny 1985, Nlifiez 1989). Unfortunately, little systematic or biological information is available either Rearing. We used field-collected and F, laboratory to help realize this potential or to offer aphylogenetic reared individuals from both eastern and western perspective on the group (see Smith 1922,Muma 1959, United States: Ithaca and Caroline, Tompkins County, Eisner and Silberglied 1988, Mason et al. 1991, Venzon NY; Rensselaerville, Albany County, NY; Strawberry and Carvalho 1993, Eisner et al. 1996, Venzon et al. Canyon, Alameda County, CA; Cedar Grove, Kings 1996, Santa-Cecilia et al. 1997).Although the larvae of Canyon National Park, CA; and Atwell Mill, Sequoia 3 species from Florida have been illustrated and as- National Park, CA. Larvae received a constant surplus pects of their biology have been noted (Muma 1959), of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) eggs and a daily supply there have been no detailed considerations of Ceraeo- of green peach aphids [LMysuspersicae (Sultzer) ] on clzqsa larval morphology, life history, or behavior. As radish leaves. We provided high relative humidity for a result, we initiated comparative studies focused on all stages except the mature larvae, by maintaining the the biology and lama1 morphology of the group. vials in plastic bags with moistened towels. Adults We started with Ceraeochrysa placita (Banks), a were held in individual cages, with water, green peach species that occurs in forests of southeastern Canada aphids and a diet of protein and carbohydrates (a and northern and western United States (Penny et al. 1:1:1:1 volumetric mixture of Wheast [standard 1997);this species was not included in previous studies brands], protein hydrolyzate of yeast, sugar, and hon- of the biology of North American chrysopids (e.g., ey). During rearing and all experiments, the temper- Smith 1922, Muma 1959). Our investigation examines ature was 24 i 1°C; unless otherwise stated, the pho- the tribal and generic characteristics of the larvae. toperiod was 163 (L:D) h. Voucher specimens are ANNALSOF THE ENTOMOLOGICALSOCIETY OF AMERICA Vol. 91, no. 5 each chalaza bearing a long, serrated-pointed seta (Fig. 4); (9) thoracic dorsolateral tubercles well de- veloped, elongate, enlarged apically, longer on pro- thorax than meso- or meta-thorax, bearing long ser- rated-pointed lateral setae (LS, see Tsukaguchi 1978); (10) all thoracic setae (except LS and those described in (8) above) smooth-pointed; (11) abdominal seg- ment 1 (Al) well developed, extending dorsally well above metathorax, without lateral or dorsal tubercles, bearing smooth-hooked setae dorsally (Fig. 6); (12) A2-A5 with well developed, unsclerotized papilliform lateral tubercles, bearing long serrated-pointed LS apically, smooth-hooked LS subapically; no dorsal tu- bercles; bearing rows of smooth-hooked setae dor- sally; (13) A6 and A7 with well developed lateral tubercles bearing long serrated-pointed LS apically, with small, but definite dorsal tubercles, each bearing at least 1long serrated seta; the seta on A6 hooked, the seta on A7 pointed; (14) larvae mostly white, without dorsolateral stripes. Ceraeochyrsa placita larvae have 2 unusual traits that may be shared with other Ceraeochrysa species. First, Fig. 3. Prothorax (dorsum) of C placita 3rd instar. Scale = 0.5 mm. their mesothoracic spiracles are borne on prominent lateral tubercles (all instars) (Figs. 4 and 8).This trait appears to vary among Pseudomallada species [e.g., each with small seta connected (Fig. 4); (6) meso- the mesothoracic spiracles occur on prominent lateral thorax without dorsal row of long setae; (7) metanotal tubercles in all instars of P prasina (Burmeister) and plates absent; (8)metathorax with posterior row of the 2nd and 3rd instars of P clathrata (Schneider),but 8 -9 pairs of brown chalazae between metanotal plates; not in P fEavifions (Brauer) (see Principi 1956) 1. And. Fig. 4. Meso- and meta-thorax (dorsum) of C. placita 3rd instar. Scale = 0.5 mm. September 1998 TAUBERET AL.:C. placita LARVAE 611 Table 1. Con~parisonof larval characteristics among 3 genera of chrysopine trash-carriers nit11 species in the Kew World (see Principi 1940, 1956; Diaz-Aranda and Monserrat 1995; Tsukaguchi 1995) Pseudomallada (Principi 1940, Characteristic yulnach~sn(Tauber lg7') 1956: Tsukaguchi 1995) Head s-2. 3 Well developed Short Well developed s-12 Usually present Present Present Clypeus With dorsolateral marking Without marking Without marking Postfrontal marking United with submedian part of Not united with epicranial United with submedian part of epicranial marking marking epicranial marking Thorax Longitudinal dorsal stripe Absent Present Absent Lateral tubercles Relatively long, well developed Relatively long, well developed Relatively long, well developed Submedian tubercles Unde\-eloped, 1 seta?? Undeveloped Undeveloped Spiracular tubercle Present or absent Absent Present (nipple-shaped) Setae (lateral tubercles) Smooth-pointed, not serrated Serrated-pointed Serrated-pointed Lateral tubercles (1st instar) Without short, stout seta Without short, stout seta With short. stout seta Metathoracic setation (between Posterior row7 of 8-25 hooked Posterior rom of 4 long Posterior row of 16-18 long metanotal plates) or pointed smooth setae on serrated-pointed setae on serrated-pointed setae on unsclerotized chalazae sclerotized chalazae unsclerotized chalazae Pronotal median plate Present Absent Present llesonotal plate Small. circular. with seta Large, circular, with seta Small, circular, with seta Metanotal plate Absent Small, narrow Absent Abdomen Lateral tubercles (A2-A;) Relati\ely small, not Relatively large, sclerotized Relatively small, not sclerotized anteriorly & posteriorly sclerotized Dorsal tubercles Present on A6. A7, sometimes Present on Al, A6, A7 Present on A6, A7 45 Setae on lateral tubercles (A2-A5) Smooth (hooked or straight), Smooth-hooked dorsall), Smooth-hooked dorsally, not serrated serrated-pointed apicall~ serrated-pointed apically Setae on dorsuln (Al) behind One transverse row, smooth- One transverse row, serrated- Two transverse rows, smooth- suture hooked hooked hooked Setae on lateral tubercles iA6. A;) ?? Serrated-uointed Serrated-uointed we expect that it also varies among Ceraeoclqsa spe- ing from midregion of head toward base of jaws, join- cies as well. Second, the dorsolateral thoracic tuber- ing anteriorly before reaching jaws. Genal markings cles of C placita 1st instars each bear a single small, dark brown, extending from cervix to eyes. Cranial stout seta at the base of the LS (Fig. 9).It is unknown setae smooth-pointed; all primary setae (Sl-12) whether this trait is shared by other Ceraeoclzysa present; S1 and S11 long, thick. Jaws amber, mandibles species. It is not reported from the larvae of any other with 5 apical teeth, maxillae with 5 small apical setae, chrysopine genus. pair of larger setae basally, sparse microsetae dorsally. Ceraeoclz~ysais 1of 7 chrpsopine