Female goldeneyed lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) approach but seldom enter traps baited with the male-produced compound iridodial.

ABSTRACT

Earlier, we identified (1R,2S,5R,8R)-iridodial as a male-specific compound of the goldeneyed lacewing, Chrysopa oculata Say (Neuroptera Chrysopidae), but traps baited with this compound caught almost exclusively males. In the present report, we demonstrated by sweep-net sampling and observation in the vicinity of pheromone lures that C. oculata females, and males, are strongly attracted to iridodial. Aggregation activity of C. oculata adults occurred between dusk and dawn. This research demonstrates that iridodial may be useful to induce goldeneyed lacewings to lay eggs in targeted plant patches for biological pest control.