Functional Response of the Local Predator Larvae to Tomato Moth Eggs

Abstract

This study was conducted at College of Agriculture   /University of Baghdad ,. This study aimed to examine the functional response of local predator Chrysoperla carnea(Stefens ( (Neuroptera:chrysopidae) The predator is one of the important natural enemies of (Gelechiidae) family eggs. Result showed that the Carves of functional response of the predator green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (stephens) (Neuroptera:chrysopidae) larvae to various densities of tomato moth Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae) eggs showed that the larvae of predator belongs to second type (Cyrtoid) of functional response . the rate of attack coefficient (a) was increased while the handling time (T_h) was reduced the highest attack coefficient was 2.558   cages for 2^ed larvae stage and the lowest attack rate was1.509  cages for 3^rd larva stage. However, the highest handling time was 23.274  minutes for 2^ed larva stage and the lowest handling time was 10.651 minutes for 1^st larva stage .                                     Keywords: Chrysoperla carnea,  Tuta absoluta , attack coefficient