INTRODUCTION

In Brittany artichokes, Cynara scolymus L., are cultivated widely along the Channel coast, where the climate is favourable to this crop. Aphids are considered as the main pests of this vegetable in this area, mainly: Capitophorus horni (Börner) (the green aphid) and Aphis fabae (Scop.) (the black aphid) (Maisonneuve et al., 1981; Collet, 1997). To control these aphids, the growers are developing a system of integrated pest management (IPM), in order to increase the quality of this important crop of our country: at present 50000 metric tonnes are produced on about 7–9000 hectares.

In many countries Chrysopa spp. or Chrysoperla spp. are used to control aphids on field vegetable crops. As part of the interest in this predator (Lyon, 1976, 1979; Sengonca, 1995) to control aphids, Chrysoperla lucasina has been investigated in 1995 and 1996 in artichokes and shows some promise (Malet et al., 1994) and is easy to rear.

In order to appreciate the impact of this beneficial insect on artichoke, in our experiments we have examined the development of aphids and some lady beetles (Coccinellidae). These experiments are described here, to indicate the preliminary assessment for using Chrysopidae to control aphids on artichokes in France.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiments below are described and discussed with relevance to the years 1996 and 1997. The work was carried out on second-year crops of ‘Camus de Bretagne’ artichokes. The duration of a plantation is usually three years.