Prospects for extending the use of Australian lacewings in biological control.

Abstract

Very few Australian lacewings have been utilised in biological control programmes, despite the need to manage an enormous variety of arthropod pests on a wide range of crops. Only two species (Micromus tasmaniae WALKER, Mallada signatus (SCHNEIDER)) have attracted wide attention. The reasons for this focus are discussed, and the biology and abundance of Austra-lian Hemerobiidae and Chrysopidae reviewed as a basis for discovering further opportunities to manipulate native lacewing species for pest management. These opportunities are explored in the context of (1) the undesirability of introducing further exotic natural enemies to Austra-lia and the consequent need to enhance use of native taxa, and (2) the characteristics of a ‘good predator ’ for pest management.