Occurrence of lacewing species (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in an olive orchard (Olea europea L., Oleaceae)

Forest fragments associated with agricultural areas are beneficial for maintaining species that act as natural biological controls. Lacewings are an example of organisms that contribute to this control, however, there is little information on the sampling methodology for this taxon, as well as its occurrence in olive cultivation, Olea europaea L. (Lamiales: Oleaceae). Therefore, the aim of this study was to report the richness of lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) collected with attractant traps in an olive orchard, associated with fragments of mixed Atlantic Forest. The traps were baited with passion fruit juice at a rate of 200 mL per bottle. The traps were installed at Sítio Carpe Diem, in the Serra da Mantiqueira, municipality of Cambuí, southern Minas Gerais (-22.625000 and -46.148333) from September 2023 to January 2024. As a result, a total of 109 lacewing specimens from one subfamily, two tribes, six genera and 14 species were collected. The occurrence of this taxon in the area may reflect the biome in which the property is located, the high temperature and the fragment of native forest. The data obtained in this study suggests that the use of passion fruit bait is advantageous for sampling lacewings, as well as highlighting the importance of agroecological practices for the permanence of natural enemies in cultivated areas.