The Upper Valley of Río Negro and Neuquén are the major pip fruit producing area in Argentina. Due to recent changes in the requirements of import markets for fresh fruit, there have been changes in the type and use of insecticides, especially organophosphate, which in turn has led to modifications in the insect fauna. Some pests have changed their status but also its natural enemies have increased its population, become increasingly relevant as yet unknown. The "lacewing" include a group of predators of aphids, mites, caterpillar larvae and particularly the pear psyllid (Cacopsylla pirycola), both on apple and pear. These insects are potentially a valuable aid in controlling pests of both crops, which makes it important to know their species diversity, their relative abundance and potential prey preference techniques to create a favorable environment for installation and development in the fruit crops. In this first contribution we investigate the specific diversity of Chrysopidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) in crops of apples and pears in the Upper Valley of Río Negro and Neuquén. They are five species of Chrysopidae, included in three genera. A key for its determination is given. Some especies have a extend distribution in this region, the more austral for Argentina.

The seeds of the Apiaceae have a slow and uneven emergence harming the productivity of crops. This inconvenience is caused in part by its indeterminate flowering habit and the presence of inhibitors. A species of this family with medicinal and spices properties is the cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), traditionally cultivated in countries of northern Africa and eastern Mediterranean. In Argentina it is planted in Catamarca, Salta and La Rioja, by about 750 families of smallholders. Agricultural Experiment Station INTA of Sumalao in Catamarca provides cumin seeds to the production area. Globally, important advances in production techniques and seed management have been achieved in several species of this family. However in the particular case of cumin seed production, there are few research papers trying to find answers to this problem and to suggest management guidelines to minimize the negative aspects in order to obtain high yields of better quality seed. The sowing date and plant density on cumin are matters of great importance in seed production because they cause significant morphological changes in this species. It is necessary to obtain an appropriate balance between sowing date and plant density for reaching seed lots of high yield and good quality. The objective of this review is to provide an analysis of management guidelines concerning the sowing date and plant density of cumin emphasizing the effect in the yield, its components and seed quality.