Investigation of eggs and larvae of species belonging to order Neuroptera (Insecta) of Mersin city

Since Neuropterans (especially species of family Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Myrmeleonidae, Raphidioptera, Ascalaphidae and Mantispidae) adults and larvae are predator insects, they are commonly used in biological control. Therefore, they are of economical importance. Whereas adults commonly feed on caterpillars and aphids, larvae of some species feed on surface dwellers such as ants and larvae. It is important to know biology of this species because of used in biological control.Some of economically important Neuropterans (especially Chrysopidae, Hemorobiidae, Myrmeleonidae, Ascalaphidae andMantispidae family species), commonly founded in area of inside the city line of Mersin, eggs and larvae stages has investigated, and production ways have determined to supplement for country economy. And this study aimed to contribute to biologic control studies for researchers.This study performed in Tarsus, Camliyayla, Erdemli and Ayvagedigi county where in province line of Mersin in Region of Mediterian sea on between April-September of 2010, 2011 and 2012. Samples were collecting by atrap and light-traps from different localities of topographically roughness in city of Mersin. Gravid adult samples kept in keeping container to obtain eggs and larvae. Especially family of Myrmeleontidae species larvae kept with some piece of land in keeping container because of their life in land and they fed in vitro by ants until they became as adults. Keeping containers tagged and saved with the date and their location. For determining criteria photographs took by modular stereo microscope SZX7 optic Olympus digital camera (5.1Mpixel). These samples scanned by scanning electron microscopy (SEM-Zeiss EVO LS 10) and data recorded.In this study eggs and larvae of species of Raphidia ambigua, Bubopsis andromeche, Distoleon tetragrammicus, Lertha extensa, Lertha sheppardi, Nemoptera sinuata, Cueta lineosa, Myrmecaelurus trigrammus ve Neuroleon assimilis observed. The photos of their important parts took and specific keys determined.As a result, by this study genus Raphidia ambigua, Cueta lineosa ve Myrmecaelurus trigrammus investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This investigation played an important role on determination of these biologic samples.Keywords: Tarsus, Camliyayla, Ayvagedigi, Erdemli, Neuropterans, Insecta, egg and larval stage, Scanning Electron Microscopy.