Potential effects of various ant species on green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuropt., Chrysopidae) egg numbers.

Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) is an important egg predator of the olive moth, Prays oleae (Bernard). Its eggs are laid on pedicels, which are likely to provide some protection against predators and parasitoids. Ants figure prominently in the insect fauna of olive orchards. Six of the most common species in Granada were tested both in the laboratory and the field to establish their effect on chrysopid egg numbers. Crematogaster scutellaris Ol. and Tapinoma nigerrimum Nyl. were the most effective predators of chrysopid eggs with probably the latter being the most damaging due to both its large nest size and its activity. Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latr.), Camponotus micans Nyl. and Camponotus foreli Em. proved to be the least efficient predators. Formica subrufa Roger was intermediate in terms of its ability to eat lacewing eggs but a small sample prevents any firm conclusions from being drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]