Searching rate and mutual interference value of the two Chrysopid predators,
Chrysopa septempunctata Wesm. and Chrysoperla camea (Steph.) were evaluated in
response to three species of aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover, Aphis craecivonJ Koch,
and Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch, in the laboratory. Ch. seotemounctet« larvae exhibited relatively higher searching ate in
comparison with Chr. camea on all tested aphid preys. The searching rate for larvae
of both Chrysopid predators was affeded by the larval age as welt as t e prey
species. However, the searching rate increased as the larvae grew older. In aCJdition
to both predators recorded the highest searching rate on A. gossypii followed by R.
maidis and A. eraeivora, respectively. The regreSSion analysis indicated that both predators exhibited lower
interference value on A. eraccivora and R. maidis than A. gossypi". Ch.
septempunctata had a high searching rate with relatively high mutual interference in
comparison with Chr. camea.