Morphometry of different life stages of Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Esben-Peterson) influenced by adult diets

A study was conducted in the Biocontrol Laboratory, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during 2020-21 to record the influence of adult diets on morphometry of different developmental stages of Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Esben-Peterson). Six adult diets, i.e. T1 (Water: Honey: Protinex :: 40: 40: 20), T2 (Water: Honey: Castor pollen :: 40: 40: 20), T3 (Water: Honey: Protinex: Castor pollen :: 40: 40: 10: 10), T4 (Water: Molasses: Protinex :: 40:40:20), T5 (Water: Molasses: Castor pollen :: 40: 40: 20) and T6 (Water: Molasses: Protinex: Castor pollen :: 40: 40: 10: 10) were evaluated along with control (T7=Water: Honey :: 50: 50). T1 was detected as the best diet which produced highest length and foot stalk length of egg, i.e. 0.96 mm and 4.53 mm with 10.34% and 12.69% increase over control. Maximum larval length was also recorded in T1 in all three instars, i.e. 2.38 mm, 3.48 mm and 4.87 mm, respectively. The cocoon diameter was recorded highest in T1, i.e. 2.57 mm. Length of adult male and female were recorded highest in T1, i.e. 10.73 mm and 15.52 mm with 12.00% and 14.79% increase over control. T1 was closely followed by T3 with respect to all morphometric measurements of developmental stages of C. zastrowi sillemi.