Abstract: 【Aim】 This study aims to investigate the effects of maternal overwintering experience on offspring growth and development, diapause induction and reproductive capability in the green lacewing, Chrysoperla sinica. 【Methods】 The age-stage two-sex life table method was used to study the development and population dynamic change of C. sinica offsprings in the early overwintering stage (November), mid overwintering stage (January) and late overwintering stage (March) at 25℃ under two photoperiod regimes (15L∶9D and 9L∶15D). 【Results】 The pre-adult period of C. sinica offspring under long photoperiod (15L∶9D) had no significant differences between different overwintering periods, but the adult duration was significantly shorter in the mid overwintering stage than in the other two overwintering stages. The pre-oviposition duration of offspring under long photoperiod was significantly longer in the mid overwintering stage than in the other two overwintering stages, and the fecundity was significantly higher in the late overwintering stage than in the other two overwintering stages. The intrinsic rate (r), the finite rate of increase (λ) and the net reproduction rate (R₀) of offspring population under long photoperiod were the highest in the late overwintering period, and the mean generation time was significantly longer in the mid overwintering stage than in the other two overwintering stages. The adult duration under short photoperiod (9L∶15D) was significantly longer in the late overwintering stage than in the other two overwintering stages. The pre-oviposition duration of offspring under short photoperiod was the longest in the early overwintering stage, moderate in the mid overwintering stage and the shortest in the late overwintering stage. The longest oviposition period and the highest fecundity were found in the late overwintering stage under short photoperiod. The change trends of the population parameters under short photoperiod were the same as those under long photoperiod. The survival rate of C. sinica offspring under short photoperiod was the highest in the late overwintering stage, moderate in the early overwintering stage and the lowest in the mid overwintering stage. 【Conclusion】 The offspring of C. sinica has the highest reproductive capability in the late overwintering stage among the three overwintering stages. Short photophase could induce adult diapause, and the pre-oviposition length may represent the depth of diapause. The maternal overwintering experience can weaken the induction of offspring diapause, and the longer the maternal overwintering time, the more obvious the reduction.

Key words: Chrysoperla sinica; maternal experience, overwintering stage, photoperiod, offspring development, age-stage two sex life table