草(cao)蛉是(shi)昆蟲(chong)綱脈翅目中(zhong)(zhong)的一個(ge)大科(ke),種類繁多(duo),在我國(guo)大部分地區均有分布,是(shi)松(song)蚜(ya)(ya)、柳蚜(ya)(ya)、桃蚜(ya)(ya)、梨(li)蚜(ya)(ya)等各類蚜(ya)(ya)蟲(chong)及松(song)干蚧的重要天敵昆蟲(chong),對(dui)森林苗圃果園農田中(zhong)(zhong)的蚜(ya)(ya)蟲(chong)蚧殼蟲(chong)種群數量的消長起(qi)著有效的抑制作(zuo)用。目前(qian)國(guo)內外生物防治工(gong)作(zuo)者對(dui)草(cao)蛉的種類、生物學特征(zheng)及其(qi)保護(hu)利用展開了廣泛(fan)的研究。
草(cao)蛉分布廣(guang)泛,具有明(ming)顯的地域性。由南向(xiang)北(bei)(bei)(bei)熱(re)帶(dai)(dai)種(zhong)(zhong)類遞(di)減,北(bei)(bei)(bei)方種(zhong)(zhong)類明(ming)顯增多,并(bing)且(qie)北(bei)(bei)(bei)方種(zhong)(zhong)類有明(ming)顯地向(xiang)南擴散的趨勢。在(zai)東部季風環流區,主(zhu)要分布著熱(re)帶(dai)(dai)種(zhong)(zhong)類、古北(bei)(bei)(bei)區與東洋區的過渡種(zhong)(zhong)類;在(zai)西(xi)北(bei)(bei)(bei)干旱區,以古北(bei)(bei)(bei)區種(zhong)(zhong)類為主(zhu)。在(zai)青藏(zang)高原地區存在(zai)著一(yi)些特(te)殊類群,如多階草(cao)蛉等。
絹草蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)屬(shu)(Ankylopteryx)主(zhu)要分(fen)布在江(jiang)西、湖北、湖南、福(fu)建、臺(tai)(tai)灣(wan)、廣東(dong)、海(hai)南、廣西、四(si)川、貴州、云南。飾草蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)屬(shu)(Semachrysa)分(fen)別(bie)分(fen)布于陜西、海(hai)南、臺(tai)(tai)灣(wan)、廣西、云南和西藏等地(di)。草蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)屬(shu)(Chrysopa)主(zhu)要集中(zhong)在北方地(di)區,優勢(shi)種也比較(jiao)多,如麗草蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)、葉色草蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)、大草蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)及(ji)多斑草蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)。
在(zai)不同地(di)(di)域有(you)不同的(de)(de)優勢種(zhong)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)。北方棉(mian)區的(de)(de)優勢種(zhong)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)主(zhu)要有(you)中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)、大草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)、麗草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)、葉(xie)色草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)、晉草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)和(he)(he)(he)普通草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)等種(zhong)類。在(zai)南(nan)昌(chang)地(di)(di)區常見的(de)(de)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)種(zhong)類主(zhu)要有(you)大草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)、中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)、普通草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)、松氏通草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)等;在(zai)棉(mian)田(tian)和(he)(he)(he)玉米地(di)(di)以大草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)和(he)(he)(he)中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)為主(zhu),桃、梨(li)、柑(gan)桔(jie)等果樹上則(ze)以普通草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)較(jiao)多,大草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)和(he)(he)(he)中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)次之(zhi);蔬菜地(di)(di)則(ze)大草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)和(he)(he)(he)中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)較(jiao)多。云南(nan)省常見草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)種(zhong)類有(you)大草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)、中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)和(he)(he)(he)麗草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling),在(zai)煙草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)田(tian)以大草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)數量(liang)(liang)較(jiao)多,中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)和(he)(he)(he)麗草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)的(de)(de)數量(liang)(liang)較(jiao)少。
卵:橢(tuo)圓(yuan)形,長徑1mm左右(you),一(yi)般(ban)多呈綠色或草綠色,卵的(de)基(ji)部有一(yi)根(gen)富有彈(dan)形的(de)絲柄,以絲柄附著(zhu)于植物的(de)枝(zhi)條葉片和樹皮(pi)上。
幼蟲:多呈紡(fang)錘形,體色(se)通常為(wei)黃褐(he)(he)色(se),灰褐(he)(he)色(se)或赤褐(he)(he)色(se)。頭上有黑(hei)褐(he)(he)色(se)斑紋,口(kou)器為(wei)一對強大彎管,前口(kou)式,胸(xiong)(xiong)部各節生有大小不(bu)同的(de)毛瘤。有發(fa)達的(de)胸(xiong)(xiong)足三對,幼蟲行動活潑(po)。
蛹(yong):裸蛹(yong),黃綠色,橢圓形,長(chang)12mm左右,卷曲(qu)在白色絲質繭中。
成蟲:體形(xing)中(zhong)等、細長、柔(rou)弱,一般蟲體和翅(chi)脈(mo)多(duo)為綠色(se)。咀嚼式(shi)口器。觸角(jiao)細長。呈線狀(zhuang)(zhuang)。復眼發達,有(you)金屬光澤(ze)。頭部常見(jian)黑(hei)褐色(se)斑紋(wen),區分(fen)為唇基(ji)斑、頰斑、中(zhong)斑、角(jiao)上斑、角(jiao)下斑和后頭斑,頭斑的數(shu)量和位置是分(fen)種的特征。翅(chi)二對,膜質透(tou)明,前后翅(chi)的形(xing)狀(zhuang)(zhuang)及(ji)脈(mo)紋(wen)相(xiang)似(si),脈(mo)紋(wen)細而多(duo)呈網狀(zhuang)(zhuang),在邊緣(yuan)分(fen)叉(cha)。
草蛉(ling)幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)期共3齡(ling),可捕(bu)(bu)(bu)食(shi)蚜(ya)蟲(chong)、介殼蟲(chong)、木虱、粉虱等昆(kun)蟲(chong),捕(bu)(bu)(bu)食(shi)多種昆(kun)蟲(chong)的(de)卵和(he)蛾類的(de)幼(you)(you)蟲(chong),還可捕(bu)(bu)(bu)食(shi)昆(kun)蟲(chong)排泄的(de)蜜露、植物(wu)蜜腺(xian)的(de)分泌物(wu)和(he)花(hua)粉。草蛉(ling)幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)有(you)自(zi)相殘殺的(de)習(xi)(xi)性,在食(shi)料不足情況下,自(zi)相殘殺的(de)習(xi)(xi)性表現得更為(wei)嚴(yan)重。處(chu)在狹小的(de)空間(jian)里草蛉(ling)幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)之(zhi)間(jian)會(hui)有(you)較強的(de)相互干擾和(he)競爭作(zuo)用。在同一環境下,1頭葉色草蛉(ling)2齡(ling)幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)的(de)可捕(bu)(bu)(bu)食(shi)棉蚜(ya)39.5頭,而2 頭幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)的(de)捕(bu)(bu)(bu)食(shi)量(liang)僅為(wei)60.5頭。在食(shi)物(wu)充足的(de)情況下,2種幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)共存的(de)機會(hui)較多,如果(guo)食(shi)物(wu)不足,會(hui)發生相互殘殺的(de)現象。
草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)的成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)羽化后,必須補充營(ying)養(yang)方可產(chan)卵(luan)(luan),主要取食花粉、花蜜(mi)和多種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)蟲(chong)(chong)卵(luan)(luan)。人工(gong)飼養(yang)時,若食料不足,或密(mi)度過(guo)大(da)時,成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)有取食自產(chan)卵(luan)(luan)的習性,在饑餓時大(da)草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)會咬食同種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)其他(ta)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)。草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)的產(chan)卵(luan)(luan)前期因種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類不同而有差異,大(da)草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)一般為(wei)(wei)8~10d,中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)為(wei)(wei)4~6d,普(pu)(pu)通草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)為(wei)(wei)5~7d,松(song)(song)氏通草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)為(wei)(wei)7~8d。成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)壽命長,大(da)草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)一般30~45d,越冬代成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)有的可達88d之久,中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)30~35d,普(pu)(pu)通草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)25~30d,松(song)(song)氏通草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)28~39d。成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)的產(chan)卵(luan)(luan)量(liang)因種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類不同而異,據室(shi)內(nei)飼養(yang)觀(guan)察大(da)草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)產(chan)卵(luan)(luan)量(liang)最高,中(zhong)(zhong)華(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)和松(song)(song)氏通草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)次之,普(pu)(pu)通草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)(ling)最少。成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)有趨(qu)光(guang)性和趨(qu)青性。
草蛉幼蟲(chong)因有相(xiang)(xiang)互(hu)殘殺的(de)習(xi)性(xing),在人(ren)(ren)(ren)工(gong)飼養(yang)的(de)容(rong)器內一般(ban)放有隔離物,減少幼蟲(chong)間(jian)的(de)相(xiang)(xiang)互(hu)接觸和(he)殘殺。草蛉的(de)人(ren)(ren)(ren)工(gong)飼養(yang)飼料(liao),可(ke)以選用米蛾卵或人(ren)(ren)(ren)工(gong)配制的(de)粉飼料(liao)如(ru)發面干粉、蜂蜜、蔗糖等(deng)。Vanderzant報(bao)道了(le)普通草嶺幼蟲(chong)的(de)液(ye)(ye)體(ti)飼料(liao),以酪(lao)蛋白(bai)(bai)水(shui)(shui)解(jie)液(ye)(ye)和(he)大豆水(shui)(shui)解(jie)液(ye)(ye)為主,后來(lai)對(dui)配方進(jin)(jin)行(xing)了(le)一系列改進(jin)(jin),并對(dui)該飼料(liao)的(de)營養(yang)學方面進(jin)(jin)行(xing)了(le)分析。啤(pi)酒酵母水(shui)(shui)解(jie)物、酪(lao)蛋白(bai)(bai)水(shui)(shui)解(jie)物和(he)雞蛋黃配成的(de)液(ye)(ye)體(ti)飼料(liao)為另(ling)一種飼料(liao)。
飼養(yang)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)時,先集中用(yong)15%蜂蜜水飼養(yang)4~5d,待成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)熟和(he)交尾后,再移入產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)盒中,讓其產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)。用(yong)啤酒酵(jiao)(jiao)母—蔗(zhe)糖(tang)干粉飼料飼養(yang)大(da)草(cao)蛉成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong),能夠(gou)產(chan)(chan)卵(luan),成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)的(de)(de)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)活率(lv)(lv)與(yu)以(yi)蚜蟲(chong)飼養(yang)的(de)(de)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)活率(lv)(lv)相比(bi)差異(yi)(yi)不顯著(zhu);與(yu)粉狀(zhuang)飼料飼養(yang)大(da)草(cao)蛉相比(bi),用(yong)啤酒酵(jiao)(jiao)母—蔗(zhe)糖(tang)半(ban)固(gu)體狀(zhuang)飼料飼養(yang)的(de)(de)大(da)草(cao)蛉產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)前(qian)期、產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)期、產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)量(liang)等方(fang)面都有(you)(you)(you)顯著(zhu)改(gai)善,啤酒酵(jiao)(jiao)母—蔗(zhe)糖(tang)半(ban)固(gu)體狀(zhuang)飼料中添(tian)加酵(jiao)(jiao)母水解(jie)物后,成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)前(qian)期有(you)(you)(you)所縮短、產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)量(liang)和(he)所產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)的(de)(de)受精(jing)率(lv)(lv)提(ti)高、平均產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)期顯著(zhu)延長,卵(luan)的(de)(de)孵化(hua)率(lv)(lv)明(ming)顯提(ti)高,與(yu)用(yong)蚜蟲(chong)飼養(yang)的(de)(de)大(da)草(cao)蛉相比(bi)差異(yi)(yi)不顯著(zhu)。由于成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)會取(qu)食自產(chan)(chan)卵(luan),所以(yi)要經常檢查產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)盒,發現有(you)(you)(you)卵(luan)的(de)(de)產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)箔(bo)(bo)要及時取(qu)出,一般1d取(qu)1次,產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)盛期1d取(qu)2次。取(qu)下的(de)(de)卵(luan)箔(bo)(bo)按產(chan)(chan)卵(luan)日期集中一起,或繼續(xu)飼養(yang),或冷(leng)藏保(bao)存備(bei)用(yong)。
1975年開始試(shi)驗用中華草(cao)蛉(ling)防治(zhi)(zhi)果樹紅(hong)蜘蛛為害(hai),不(bu)斷地進行室內人工飼養和野外(wai)釋(shi)放(fang)工作,至1977年將防治(zhi)(zhi)面積擴大到90余(yu)公頃。通(tong)過(guo)釋(shi)放(fang)草(cao)蛉(ling)卵,有(you)效地控制了果樹紅(hong)蜘蛛的(de)為害(hai),不(bu)但(dan)減少了農藥使用次數,節省(sheng)了開支(zhi)和勞(lao)力(li),而(er)且提高了防治(zhi)(zhi)效果和減少了對環(huan)境(jing)的(de)污染。
草蛉適于在(zai)野外進行人(ren)工釋放,在(zai)溫室(shi)和(he)暖(nuan)棚內(nei)(nei),同樣有(you)著(zhu)明(ming)顯的(de)治蟲效果(guo)。例如1977年,在(zai)北京四季青公(gong)社試驗站,利用人(ren)工飼養(yang)的(de)中華草蛉防(fang)治溫室(shi)內(nei)(nei)為害黃瓜(gua)的(de)瓜(gua)白粉(fen)虱,取得了(le)良好防(fang)治效果(guo)。
草蛉(ling)能有(you)效地消(xiao)滅很多種類的(de)(de)(de)農(nong)業害蟲,是(shi)一類重要的(de)(de)(de)天敵(di)昆蟲,開(kai)展對該物種的(de)(de)(de)人(ren)工繁殖、飼(si)養工作早被提到日程上來(lai)。有(you)計劃地把(ba)人(ren)工伺養的(de)(de)(de)草蛉(ling)釋放到田間,達到消(xiao)滅害蟲的(de)(de)(de)目的(de)(de)(de),更是(shi)成果輝(hui)煌。
中(zhong)國河南省某地(di),曾在(zai)棉(mian)田(tian)中(zhong)釋放草(cao)蛉防治棉(mian)鈴(ling)蟲(chong),四五天便使棉(mian)鈴(ling)蟲(chong)的卵和幼蟲(chong)減退了80%。
21世紀初(chu),草蛉作為天敵昆(kun)蟲的研究(jiu),仍在各地不斷地開展(zhan),在技術方法上和(he)滅蟲效果上都(dou)不斷地取得了新的成果。
草蛉(ling)(ling)是全變態(tai)昆蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong),一(yi)(yi)生(sheng)中有卵(luan)、幼(you)(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)、蛹(yong)和成蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)四種不(bu)(bu)(bu)同的(de)(de)形態(tai),在(zai)卵(luan)期(qi)和蛹(yong)期(qi)的(de)(de)草蛉(ling)(ling)不(bu)(bu)(bu)能(neng)取食,捕食主要(yao)是在(zai)幼(you)(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)和成蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)時期(qi),其中尤以幼(you)(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)期(qi)捕食量大,是消滅害(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)的(de)(de)主要(yao)時期(qi)。草蛉(ling)(ling)幼(you)(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)長得丑陋,捕食兇猛,人(ren)們把(ba)幼(you)(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)期(qi)的(de)(de)草蛉(ling)(ling)又叫做蚜(ya)(ya)獅。蚜(ya)(ya)獅十分活(huo)躍,雖然沒有翅(chi)膀(bang),不(bu)(bu)(bu)能(neng)隨意飛翔,但卻能(neng)不(bu)(bu)(bu)停地在(zai)植物上爬行(xing),到(dao)(dao)處尋找害(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)捕食。蚜(ya)(ya)獅捕食害(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)或(huo)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)卵(luan),主要(yao)的(de)(de)武(wu)器是生(sheng)在(zai)頭前方的(de)(de)上、下顎,每(mei)當其發(fa)現(xian)目標后,會張(zhang)開上、下顎,把(ba)目標緊緊地夾(jia)住。上、下顎上生(sheng)有可(ke)以使消化液流到(dao)(dao)害(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體(ti)(ti)(ti)上的(de)(de)細(xi)溝(gou),能(neng)溶解(jie)害(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)身體(ti)(ti)(ti)的(de)(de)液體(ti)(ti)(ti)順著顎上的(de)(de)細(xi)溝(gou)流到(dao)(dao)害(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體(ti)(ti)(ti)上,害(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)身體(ti)(ti)(ti)的(de)(de)組織會被溶解(jie),而(er)溶解(jie)的(de)(de)液體(ti)(ti)(ti)又馬上被蚜(ya)(ya)獅吸(xi)(xi)到(dao)(dao)肚子(zi)里(li)。如此,一(yi)(yi)頭害(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)最后只(zhi)剩下了(le)一(yi)(yi)張(zhang)空殼。每(mei)頭蚜(ya)(ya)獅一(yi)(yi)天可(ke)以吸(xi)(xi)食百十頭蚜(ya)(ya)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)。有趣的(de)(de)是有的(de)(de)種類象亞非草蛉(ling)(ling)等(deng),每(mei)當把(ba)害(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)吃盡吸(xi)(xi)光后,還(huan)把(ba)吸(xi)(xi)空的(de)(de)害(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體(ti)(ti)(ti)殼背(bei)在(zai)背(bei)上,不(bu)(bu)(bu)停地行(xing)走。據統(tong)計,一(yi)(yi)頭蚜(ya)(ya)獅在(zai)整個幼(you)(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)期(qi)消滅的(de)(de)蚜(ya)(ya)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)平均可(ke)在(zai)七八(ba)百頭以上!
草蛉是多(duo)食性(xing)昆蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong),除捕(bu)食多(duo)種軟體的(de)(de)昆蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)和(he)螨類外(wai),也取食昆蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)排出的(de)(de)蜜(mi)露、植物(wu)蜜(mi)腺的(de)(de)分(fen)泌物(wu)和(he)花粉等(deng)。所捕(bu)食的(de)(de)昆蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)包括同(tong)翅(chi)(chi)目(mu)(蚜蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)、介殼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)、粉虱、木虱、葉(xie)蟬(chan)等(deng)),纓翅(chi)(chi)目(mu)(薊馬(ma)),鱗(lin)翅(chi)(chi)目(mu)(蝶和(he)蛾類的(de)(de)卵和(he)小(xiao)幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)),鞘翅(chi)(chi)目(mu)(葉(xie)甲(jia)等(deng)甲(jia)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)的(de)(de)卵和(he)幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)),膜翅(chi)(chi)目(mu)(葉(xie)蜂的(de)(de)卵)等(deng)許多(duo)重要的(de)(de)農林害蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)。但也捕(bu)食一小(xiao)部分(fen)益蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong),如雙翅(chi)(chi)目(mu)的(de)(de)食蚜蠅(ying)(卵和(he)幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong))以(yi)及(ji)脈翅(chi)(chi)目(mu)的(de)(de)粉蛉(幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)和(he)蛹)等(deng),甚(shen)至(zhi)可(ke)以(yi)同(tong)類互相殘殺(sha),這點(dian)在飼養時(shi)是需要特別注(zhu)意的(de)(de)。
草(cao)蛉的食量是較(jiao)大的,從文獻(xian)中可以(yi)舉出一(yi)些實(shi)例:大蚜獅(即大草(cao)蛉)幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)一(yi)生(sheng)(8一(yi)10天)可食蚜蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)677.6頭(tou),成蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(5一(yi)8天)平(ping)(ping)均可食蚜488.22頭(tou),一(yi)個(ge)世代每個(ge)草(cao)嶺(ling)平(ping)(ping)均能(neng)消滅1041.44頭(tou)蚜蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)。但(dan)也有的報告,食蚜量要(yao)低的多。九紋(wen)草(cao)蛉(即麗草(cao)蛉)一(yi)個(ge)幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)一(yi)生(sheng)(15天)平(ping)(ping)均食菜蚜Brevicoryne brassicae L.2,077頭(tou),一(yi)個(ge)成蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)則食蚜達4,000頭(tou)以(yi)上(shang)。
普通草蛉(ling)吃介殼(ke)(ke)蟲的記錄也是驚人的,在我國(guo)(guo)臺灣省,一(yi)個(ge)幼蟲可吃3,780頭(tou)介殼(ke)(ke)蟲;在中東,一(yi)個(ge)幼蟲14天吃介殼(ke)(ke)蟲(Massococcus sp.)的卵6,457粒。在法國(guo)(guo),普通草蛉(ling)幼蟲捕(bu)食多種葡萄(tao)害蟲,一(yi)個(ge)蚜獅至成長可以吃葡萄(tao)綴穗蛾Polychrotisbotrana Schiff的幼蟲60頭(tou)。
農藥的(de)(de)(de)種類(lei)(lei)及使(shi)用(yong)劑量對(dui)(dui)草(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)有(you)(you)一(yi)定的(de)(de)(de)影響。草(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)對(dui)(dui)有(you)(you)機氯(lv)、菊(ju)酯(zhi)(zhi)類(lei)(lei)農藥等的(de)(de)(de)耐受力(li)較強,但是對(dui)(dui)有(you)(you)機磷、氨基甲酸醋類(lei)(lei)農藥敏感(gan);幼(you)(you)(you)(you)期比成(cheng)(cheng)蟲的(de)(de)(de)耐藥力(li)強。微(wei)生(sheng)物殺蟲劑、植物提(ti)取(qu)物、殺螨劑和殺菌劑對(dui)(dui)草(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)的(de)(de)(de)生(sheng)長發育(yu)和生(sheng)殖力(li)等無(wu)明顯的(de)(de)(de)影響。滅幼(you)(you)(you)(you)脲(niao)Ⅰ號(hao)(hao)和滅幼(you)(you)(you)(you)脲(niao)Ⅱ號(hao)(hao)對(dui)(dui)中華(hua)(hua)草(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)成(cheng)(cheng)蟲的(de)(de)(de)致(zhi)(zhi)死(si)作(zuo)用(yong)較小,但可導致(zhi)(zhi)成(cheng)(cheng)蟲不育(yu),對(dui)(dui)幼(you)(you)(you)(you)蟲和卵有(you)(you)較強的(de)(de)(de)致(zhi)(zhi)死(si)作(zuo)用(yong)。抑太(tai)保則對(dui)(dui)中華(hua)(hua)草(cao)嶺成(cheng)(cheng)蟲有(you)(you)較強的(de)(de)(de)致(zhi)(zhi)死(si)作(zuo)用(yong)。擬除蟲菊(ju)酯(zhi)(zhi)類(lei)(lei)藥劑中的(de)(de)(de)三氟(fu)氯(lv)氰(qing)菊(ju)酯(zhi)(zhi)對(dui)(dui)中華(hua)(hua)草(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)(ling)的(de)(de)(de)毒力(li)高(gao)出氰(qing)戊(wu)菊(ju)酯(zhi)(zhi)44~81倍。