草(cao)蛉是昆(kun)蟲(chong)綱脈(mo)翅目中(zhong)的(de)一個大(da)科,種類(lei)(lei)繁多(duo),在(zai)我國大(da)部分地區均有(you)分布,是松(song)(song)蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)、柳蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)、桃蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)、梨蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)等(deng)各類(lei)(lei)蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)蟲(chong)及(ji)松(song)(song)干蚧的(de)重(zhong)要(yao)天敵昆(kun)蟲(chong),對(dui)森林苗圃(pu)果園(yuan)農田中(zhong)的(de)蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)蟲(chong)蚧殼蟲(chong)種群(qun)數量的(de)消長起(qi)著有(you)效(xiao)的(de)抑制(zhi)作(zuo)用。目前(qian)國內外生(sheng)物防治(zhi)工作(zuo)者(zhe)對(dui)草(cao)蛉的(de)種類(lei)(lei)、生(sheng)物學特征及(ji)其(qi)保護(hu)利(li)用展開了廣泛的(de)研究。
草蛉分布(bu)廣泛(fan),具有明顯的(de)地(di)域(yu)性。由南向(xiang)北熱(re)帶種類(lei)遞減(jian),北方(fang)種類(lei)明顯增多,并且北方(fang)種類(lei)有明顯地(di)向(xiang)南擴散的(de)趨勢。在(zai)東部季風環流區(qu),主(zhu)要分布(bu)著熱(re)帶種類(lei)、古北區(qu)與東洋區(qu)的(de)過渡種類(lei);在(zai)西北干旱區(qu),以古北區(qu)種類(lei)為主(zhu)。在(zai)青藏高原地(di)區(qu)存在(zai)著一些特殊類(lei)群(qun),如多階草蛉等。
絹草蛉(ling)(ling)屬(Ankylopteryx)主要分布在江西(xi)(xi)、湖北、湖南(nan)(nan)、福建(jian)、臺(tai)灣、廣東、海(hai)南(nan)(nan)、廣西(xi)(xi)、四川、貴州、云(yun)南(nan)(nan)。飾草蛉(ling)(ling)屬(Semachrysa)分別分布于陜西(xi)(xi)、海(hai)南(nan)(nan)、臺(tai)灣、廣西(xi)(xi)、云(yun)南(nan)(nan)和西(xi)(xi)藏等地(di)。草蛉(ling)(ling)屬(Chrysopa)主要集中在北方地(di)區,優勢種(zhong)也比較多,如麗(li)草蛉(ling)(ling)、葉色草蛉(ling)(ling)、大草蛉(ling)(ling)及多斑草蛉(ling)(ling)。
在(zai)不(bu)同地(di)(di)域有(you)不(bu)同的優(you)(you)勢種草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)。北方(fang)棉(mian)(mian)區的優(you)(you)勢種草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)主(zhu)要(yao)(yao)有(you)中(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)、大(da)(da)(da)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)、麗草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)、葉色草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)、晉草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)和(he)普通草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)等種類(lei)。在(zai)南昌(chang)地(di)(di)區常(chang)見的草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)種類(lei)主(zhu)要(yao)(yao)有(you)大(da)(da)(da)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)、中(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)、普通草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)、松氏通草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)等;在(zai)棉(mian)(mian)田和(he)玉米地(di)(di)以(yi)大(da)(da)(da)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)和(he)中(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)為主(zhu),桃、梨、柑桔等果(guo)樹(shu)上則以(yi)普通草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)較(jiao)多,大(da)(da)(da)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)和(he)中(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)次(ci)之;蔬菜地(di)(di)則大(da)(da)(da)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)和(he)中(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)較(jiao)多。云南省常(chang)見草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)種類(lei)有(you)大(da)(da)(da)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)、中(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)和(he)麗草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling),在(zai)煙(yan)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)田以(yi)大(da)(da)(da)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)數(shu)量較(jiao)多,中(zhong)華(hua)(hua)草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)和(he)麗草(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)的數(shu)量較(jiao)少(shao)。
卵:橢圓(yuan)形(xing),長徑1mm左(zuo)右(you),一(yi)般(ban)多(duo)呈綠色或(huo)草綠色,卵的(de)基(ji)部有一(yi)根富有彈形(xing)的(de)絲(si)柄,以絲(si)柄附著于植物的(de)枝條葉片和樹皮(pi)上。
幼蟲:多呈紡錘形,體色(se)通常為黃褐色(se),灰(hui)褐色(se)或赤褐色(se)。頭上有(you)(you)黑褐色(se)斑紋,口器為一對強大彎管,前口式,胸(xiong)部各節生有(you)(you)大小不同的毛瘤。有(you)(you)發達的胸(xiong)足三(san)對,幼蟲行動活潑(po)。
蛹(yong):裸蛹(yong),黃綠色,橢圓形(xing),長12mm左右,卷曲(qu)在白色絲質繭中。
成(cheng)蟲:體形中等、細(xi)長、柔(rou)弱,一(yi)般蟲體和(he)翅(chi)脈(mo)多為綠色(se)。咀嚼式口器。觸(chu)角細(xi)長。呈(cheng)線狀(zhuang)(zhuang)。復眼(yan)發達,有金屬光澤(ze)。頭部常見黑褐色(se)斑(ban)(ban)紋(wen),區(qu)分為唇基斑(ban)(ban)、頰斑(ban)(ban)、中斑(ban)(ban)、角上斑(ban)(ban)、角下斑(ban)(ban)和(he)后(hou)頭斑(ban)(ban),頭斑(ban)(ban)的(de)數量和(he)位置是分種的(de)特征。翅(chi)二(er)對,膜(mo)質透明(ming),前后(hou)翅(chi)的(de)形狀(zhuang)(zhuang)及脈(mo)紋(wen)相似,脈(mo)紋(wen)細(xi)而多呈(cheng)網狀(zhuang)(zhuang),在邊緣分叉。
草蛉(ling)幼(you)蟲(chong)期共3齡(ling),可捕(bu)(bu)食(shi)(shi)蚜(ya)蟲(chong)、介(jie)殼蟲(chong)、木虱(shi)、粉虱(shi)等昆(kun)蟲(chong),捕(bu)(bu)食(shi)(shi)多種(zhong)昆(kun)蟲(chong)的(de)卵和蛾類的(de)幼(you)蟲(chong),還可捕(bu)(bu)食(shi)(shi)昆(kun)蟲(chong)排泄的(de)蜜露、植物蜜腺的(de)分泌物和花粉。草蛉(ling)幼(you)蟲(chong)有自相(xiang)殘殺的(de)習(xi)性,在(zai)食(shi)(shi)料不足情況(kuang)下,自相(xiang)殘殺的(de)習(xi)性表現得(de)更為嚴重。處在(zai)狹小的(de)空(kong)間(jian)(jian)里(li)草蛉(ling)幼(you)蟲(chong)之間(jian)(jian)會有較強的(de)相(xiang)互干擾和競爭作用(yong)。在(zai)同一環境(jing)下,1頭葉色草蛉(ling)2齡(ling)幼(you)蟲(chong)的(de)可捕(bu)(bu)食(shi)(shi)棉蚜(ya)39.5頭,而(er)2 頭幼(you)蟲(chong)的(de)捕(bu)(bu)食(shi)(shi)量(liang)僅為60.5頭。在(zai)食(shi)(shi)物充(chong)足的(de)情況(kuang)下,2種(zhong)幼(you)蟲(chong)共存的(de)機會較多,如果食(shi)(shi)物不足,會發生相(xiang)互殘殺的(de)現象。
草(cao)蛉(ling)的(de)成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)羽化后,必須補充營養(yang)方可(ke)(ke)產(chan)卵(luan),主要取食花粉、花蜜和多(duo)種蟲(chong)(chong)卵(luan)。人工飼養(yang)時(shi),若食料不(bu)足,或密度過大(da)時(shi),成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)有(you)取食自(zi)產(chan)卵(luan)的(de)習(xi)性,在饑(ji)餓時(shi)大(da)草(cao)蛉(ling)成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)會咬食同(tong)種其(qi)他(ta)成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)。草(cao)蛉(ling)的(de)產(chan)卵(luan)前(qian)期因種類不(bu)同(tong)而(er)有(you)差異(yi),大(da)草(cao)蛉(ling)一般為8~10d,中(zhong)華(hua)草(cao)蛉(ling)為4~6d,普通(tong)草(cao)蛉(ling)為5~7d,松氏通(tong)草(cao)蛉(ling)為7~8d。成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)壽命長,大(da)草(cao)蛉(ling)一般30~45d,越冬代(dai)成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)有(you)的(de)可(ke)(ke)達88d之久,中(zhong)華(hua)草(cao)蛉(ling)30~35d,普通(tong)草(cao)蛉(ling)25~30d,松氏通(tong)草(cao)蛉(ling)28~39d。成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)的(de)產(chan)卵(luan)量(liang)因種類不(bu)同(tong)而(er)異(yi),據室內飼養(yang)觀察(cha)大(da)草(cao)蛉(ling)產(chan)卵(luan)量(liang)最(zui)高,中(zhong)華(hua)草(cao)蛉(ling)和松氏通(tong)草(cao)蛉(ling)次之,普通(tong)草(cao)蛉(ling)最(zui)少(shao)。成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)有(you)趨(qu)光性和趨(qu)青(qing)性。
草(cao)蛉(ling)幼(you)蟲(chong)因(yin)有相互殘(can)殺的(de)(de)習性,在(zai)人工飼(si)(si)(si)養的(de)(de)容器內一般放有隔離物,減少幼(you)蟲(chong)間的(de)(de)相互接觸和殘(can)殺。草(cao)蛉(ling)的(de)(de)人工飼(si)(si)(si)養飼(si)(si)(si)料(liao),可(ke)以(yi)選用米(mi)蛾卵(luan)或人工配制(zhi)的(de)(de)粉飼(si)(si)(si)料(liao)如發面干(gan)粉、蜂蜜、蔗(zhe)糖等。Vanderzant報道了普通草(cao)嶺幼(you)蟲(chong)的(de)(de)液(ye)(ye)體(ti)飼(si)(si)(si)料(liao),以(yi)酪蛋白水(shui)解(jie)液(ye)(ye)和大豆(dou)水(shui)解(jie)液(ye)(ye)為(wei)(wei)主,后來對配方進(jin)行(xing)了一系列改進(jin),并對該飼(si)(si)(si)料(liao)的(de)(de)營(ying)養學方面進(jin)行(xing)了分析。啤酒酵母水(shui)解(jie)物、酪蛋白水(shui)解(jie)物和雞蛋黃配成(cheng)的(de)(de)液(ye)(ye)體(ti)飼(si)(si)(si)料(liao)為(wei)(wei)另一種飼(si)(si)(si)料(liao)。
飼(si)(si)(si)養成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)時,先集中用(yong)15%蜂蜜(mi)水(shui)飼(si)(si)(si)養4~5d,待(dai)成(cheng)(cheng)熟和交(jiao)尾(wei)后(hou),再移入產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)盒中,讓其產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)。用(yong)啤(pi)酒(jiu)酵母(mu)—蔗(zhe)糖(tang)(tang)(tang)干(gan)粉飼(si)(si)(si)料飼(si)(si)(si)養大草蛉(ling)成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong),能夠產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan),成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)成(cheng)(cheng)活(huo)率(lv)(lv)(lv)與以(yi)蚜(ya)蟲(chong)飼(si)(si)(si)養的(de)(de)(de)(de)成(cheng)(cheng)活(huo)率(lv)(lv)(lv)相比(bi)差異(yi)(yi)不顯(xian)著(zhu)(zhu)(zhu);與粉狀飼(si)(si)(si)料飼(si)(si)(si)養大草蛉(ling)相比(bi),用(yong)啤(pi)酒(jiu)酵母(mu)—蔗(zhe)糖(tang)(tang)(tang)半固體狀飼(si)(si)(si)料飼(si)(si)(si)養的(de)(de)(de)(de)大草蛉(ling)產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)前期(qi)(qi)(qi)、產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)期(qi)(qi)(qi)、產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)量等方面(mian)都有顯(xian)著(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)改善,啤(pi)酒(jiu)酵母(mu)—蔗(zhe)糖(tang)(tang)(tang)半固體狀飼(si)(si)(si)料中添加(jia)酵母(mu)水(shui)解物后(hou),成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)前期(qi)(qi)(qi)有所(suo)縮短、產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)量和所(suo)產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)受精率(lv)(lv)(lv)提高(gao)、平均產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)期(qi)(qi)(qi)顯(xian)著(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)延長,卵(luan)(luan)(luan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)孵化(hua)率(lv)(lv)(lv)明顯(xian)提高(gao),與用(yong)蚜(ya)蟲(chong)飼(si)(si)(si)養的(de)(de)(de)(de)大草蛉(ling)相比(bi)差異(yi)(yi)不顯(xian)著(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)。由于成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)會取(qu)食(shi)自產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan),所(suo)以(yi)要經常(chang)檢查產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)盒,發(fa)現有卵(luan)(luan)(luan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)箔要及時取(qu)出,一般(ban)1d取(qu)1次(ci),產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)盛期(qi)(qi)(qi)1d取(qu)2次(ci)。取(qu)下(xia)的(de)(de)(de)(de)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)箔按產(chan)(chan)(chan)(chan)卵(luan)(luan)(luan)日期(qi)(qi)(qi)集中一起(qi),或繼(ji)續飼(si)(si)(si)養,或冷藏(zang)保存備用(yong)。
1975年開始試驗用中(zhong)華(hua)草(cao)蛉(ling)防治果樹紅蜘蛛(zhu)為害,不斷地(di)進行室(shi)內人工(gong)飼養和野外釋(shi)(shi)放工(gong)作,至1977年將防治面積擴大到90余公頃。通過釋(shi)(shi)放草(cao)蛉(ling)卵,有效地(di)控制(zhi)了(le)果樹紅蜘蛛(zhu)的為害,不但減少(shao)了(le)農藥使用次數,節省了(le)開支和勞(lao)力(li),而且(qie)提高了(le)防治效果和減少(shao)了(le)對環(huan)境的污(wu)染。
草蛉適于在(zai)野外(wai)進行人工釋放,在(zai)溫室和暖棚(peng)內,同樣有(you)著明顯的治(zhi)蟲效果。例如1977年,在(zai)北京四季青(qing)公社試驗站,利用(yong)人工飼養的中華(hua)草蛉防(fang)治(zhi)溫室內為害黃(huang)瓜的瓜白(bai)粉虱,取(qu)得了良好(hao)防(fang)治(zhi)效果。
草蛉能有效地(di)消(xiao)滅很多種類的(de)(de)農業害蟲,是一(yi)類重要的(de)(de)天敵昆蟲,開展對(dui)該物(wu)種的(de)(de)人(ren)工繁殖、飼養(yang)工作早被提到(dao)日程上來。有計(ji)劃地(di)把人(ren)工伺(si)養(yang)的(de)(de)草蛉釋放到(dao)田間,達到(dao)消(xiao)滅害蟲的(de)(de)目(mu)的(de)(de),更是成(cheng)果輝煌。
中國(guo)河南省某地(di),曾在棉(mian)田中釋(shi)放(fang)草(cao)蛉防治棉(mian)鈴蟲,四五天便使棉(mian)鈴蟲的卵(luan)和幼蟲減退了80%。
21世(shi)紀初,草蛉作為天敵(di)昆蟲的(de)研究,仍在(zai)各(ge)地不斷(duan)地開(kai)展,在(zai)技術方(fang)法上(shang)和(he)滅蟲效果上(shang)都不斷(duan)地取得了新的(de)成(cheng)果。
草蛉是(shi)全變態(tai)昆蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong),一(yi)(yi)生(sheng)(sheng)中有卵、幼(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)、蛹和成(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)四種不(bu)同的(de)(de)(de)形(xing)態(tai),在(zai)卵期和蛹期的(de)(de)(de)草蛉不(bu)能(neng)(neng)取食,捕(bu)食主(zhu)(zhu)要是(shi)在(zai)幼(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)和成(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)時(shi)(shi)期,其中尤以幼(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)期捕(bu)食量(liang)大,是(shi)消滅(mie)害(hai)(hai)(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)的(de)(de)(de)主(zhu)(zhu)要時(shi)(shi)期。草蛉幼(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)長得(de)丑陋,捕(bu)食兇猛,人們把(ba)(ba)幼(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)期的(de)(de)(de)草蛉又(you)叫做蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)獅。蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)獅十(shi)(shi)分(fen)活躍(yue),雖然沒有翅膀,不(bu)能(neng)(neng)隨意(yi)飛(fei)翔,但卻能(neng)(neng)不(bu)停(ting)地在(zai)植物上(shang)(shang)(shang)爬行,到處尋找害(hai)(hai)(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)捕(bu)食。蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)獅捕(bu)食害(hai)(hai)(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)或蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)卵,主(zhu)(zhu)要的(de)(de)(de)武器是(shi)生(sheng)(sheng)在(zai)頭(tou)(tou)前(qian)方的(de)(de)(de)上(shang)(shang)(shang)、下(xia)顎,每(mei)當其發現目標后(hou),會(hui)張開上(shang)(shang)(shang)、下(xia)顎,把(ba)(ba)目標緊緊地夾住。上(shang)(shang)(shang)、下(xia)顎上(shang)(shang)(shang)生(sheng)(sheng)有可以使消化(hua)液流到害(hai)(hai)(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體上(shang)(shang)(shang)的(de)(de)(de)細(xi)溝(gou)(gou),能(neng)(neng)溶解害(hai)(hai)(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)身(shen)體的(de)(de)(de)液體順著顎上(shang)(shang)(shang)的(de)(de)(de)細(xi)溝(gou)(gou)流到害(hai)(hai)(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體上(shang)(shang)(shang),害(hai)(hai)(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)身(shen)體的(de)(de)(de)組織會(hui)被溶解,而溶解的(de)(de)(de)液體又(you)馬上(shang)(shang)(shang)被蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)獅吸(xi)到肚子里。如此,一(yi)(yi)頭(tou)(tou)害(hai)(hai)(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)最后(hou)只剩下(xia)了(le)一(yi)(yi)張空(kong)殼。每(mei)頭(tou)(tou)蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)獅一(yi)(yi)天(tian)可以吸(xi)食百十(shi)(shi)頭(tou)(tou)蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)。有趣的(de)(de)(de)是(shi)有的(de)(de)(de)種類象亞非(fei)草蛉等,每(mei)當把(ba)(ba)害(hai)(hai)(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)吃盡吸(xi)光后(hou),還把(ba)(ba)吸(xi)空(kong)的(de)(de)(de)害(hai)(hai)(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體殼背(bei)在(zai)背(bei)上(shang)(shang)(shang),不(bu)停(ting)地行走。據統計(ji),一(yi)(yi)頭(tou)(tou)蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)獅在(zai)整個(ge)幼(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)期消滅(mie)的(de)(de)(de)蚜(ya)(ya)(ya)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)平均可在(zai)七八百頭(tou)(tou)以上(shang)(shang)(shang)!
草蛉是(shi)多(duo)食性昆蟲(chong)(chong)(chong),除(chu)捕食多(duo)種軟體(ti)的昆蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)和(he)(he)螨類(lei)外,也取食昆蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)排出的蜜(mi)露、植物(wu)(wu)蜜(mi)腺(xian)的分泌物(wu)(wu)和(he)(he)花粉(fen)等(deng)。所捕食的昆蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)包括同翅(chi)(chi)目(蚜蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)、介殼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)、粉(fen)虱、木虱、葉(xie)蟬等(deng)),纓翅(chi)(chi)目(薊馬),鱗翅(chi)(chi)目(蝶和(he)(he)蛾類(lei)的卵(luan)和(he)(he)小幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)),鞘翅(chi)(chi)目(葉(xie)甲(jia)等(deng)甲(jia)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)的卵(luan)和(he)(he)幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)),膜翅(chi)(chi)目(葉(xie)蜂的卵(luan))等(deng)許多(duo)重(zhong)要的農林害(hai)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)。但也捕食一小部(bu)分益蟲(chong)(chong)(chong),如雙翅(chi)(chi)目的食蚜蠅(卵(luan)和(he)(he)幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong))以及脈翅(chi)(chi)目的粉(fen)蛉(幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)和(he)(he)蛹)等(deng),甚(shen)至可以同類(lei)互相殘殺,這點在飼養時是(shi)需要特別注意(yi)的。
草(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)的(de)食(shi)(shi)量是較大(da)的(de),從文獻(xian)中可(ke)以舉出一些實例(li):大(da)蚜獅(shi)(即(ji)大(da)草(cao)(cao)蛉(ling))幼(you)蟲一生(8一10天(tian)(tian))可(ke)食(shi)(shi)蚜蟲677.6頭,成蟲(5一8天(tian)(tian))平均可(ke)食(shi)(shi)蚜488.22頭,一個世(shi)代每(mei)個草(cao)(cao)嶺平均能(neng)消滅1041.44頭蚜蟲。但(dan)也有的(de)報告,食(shi)(shi)蚜量要低的(de)多(duo)。九(jiu)紋草(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(即(ji)麗草(cao)(cao)蛉(ling))一個幼(you)蟲一生(15天(tian)(tian))平均食(shi)(shi)菜蚜Brevicoryne brassicae L.2,077頭,一個成蟲則(ze)食(shi)(shi)蚜達4,000頭以上(shang)。
普通(tong)草蛉吃(chi)介殼蟲(chong)的(de)(de)記(ji)錄也是驚人的(de)(de),在(zai)我(wo)國(guo)臺(tai)灣省,一(yi)個幼蟲(chong)可吃(chi)3,780頭介殼蟲(chong);在(zai)中(zhong)東,一(yi)個幼蟲(chong)14天吃(chi)介殼蟲(chong)(Massococcus sp.)的(de)(de)卵6,457粒。在(zai)法國(guo),普通(tong)草蛉幼蟲(chong)捕食(shi)多(duo)種(zhong)葡(pu)萄(tao)害蟲(chong),一(yi)個蚜獅至成長(chang)可以吃(chi)葡(pu)萄(tao)綴穗(sui)蛾Polychrotisbotrana Schiff的(de)(de)幼蟲(chong)60頭。
農藥(yao)的(de)(de)種(zhong)類及使(shi)用劑量對(dui)草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)有(you)(you)一定的(de)(de)影響。草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)對(dui)有(you)(you)機氯、菊(ju)酯類農藥(yao)等(deng)的(de)(de)耐受力(li)(li)較(jiao)(jiao)強,但是對(dui)有(you)(you)機磷、氨(an)基甲酸醋類農藥(yao)敏感;幼期(qi)比成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)的(de)(de)耐藥(yao)力(li)(li)強。微(wei)生物(wu)(wu)殺蟲(chong)(chong)劑、植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)提取物(wu)(wu)、殺螨劑和殺菌(jun)劑對(dui)草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)的(de)(de)生長發育和生殖力(li)(li)等(deng)無明顯的(de)(de)影響。滅(mie)幼脲Ⅰ號和滅(mie)幼脲Ⅱ號對(dui)中(zhong)華草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)的(de)(de)致死(si)作用較(jiao)(jiao)小,但可導(dao)致成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)不育,對(dui)幼蟲(chong)(chong)和卵有(you)(you)較(jiao)(jiao)強的(de)(de)致死(si)作用。抑太保則(ze)對(dui)中(zhong)華草(cao)(cao)(cao)嶺成(cheng)(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)有(you)(you)較(jiao)(jiao)強的(de)(de)致死(si)作用。擬除蟲(chong)(chong)菊(ju)酯類藥(yao)劑中(zhong)的(de)(de)三氟氯氰菊(ju)酯對(dui)中(zhong)華草(cao)(cao)(cao)蛉(ling)(ling)的(de)(de)毒(du)力(li)(li)高出氰戊菊(ju)酯44~81倍。