Chrysoperla spp. have long been considered important natural predators in many agricultural crop systems. In some countries around the world, they are among the most commonly used and commercially available natural enemies. Currently, two species of Chrysoperla (C. carnea and C. rufilabris) are bred and marketed in North America and Europe. Two other species, C. externa and C. nipponensis, are marketed in Latin America and Asia. In Brazil, the species Chrysoperla externa has been registered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply (MAPA) for commercialization. There are three Brazilian companies that have obtained registration, with the first registration obtained in November 2021. Currently, the green lacewing predators are released in Brazil in large crops, such as coffee plantations, covering approximately 60,000 hectares per year. Recent research conducted at the University of Franca by a team led by Professor Alessandra Marieli Vacari indicated positive results in the control of the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), using predators from the family Chrysopidae (Neuroptera), both in laboratory and field conditions. Thus, the results obtained confirm the effectiveness of using the predator C. externa for the control of the coffee leaf miner. Moreover, these research studies open up the concrete possibility of increasing the utilization of these predators in Brazil, both for a larger treated area in coffee plantations and for other pests and crops as well. However, Professor Vacari's team is continuing their ongoing studies to ensure the success of this new biological control program in Brazil.
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