Crop Protection Research Center, Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai- 627 002,India.
*Corresponding author: ksraj42@gmail.com.
A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the biological control potential of first, second, third and fourth nymphal instars of Rhynocoris kumarii Ambrose and Livingston on different densities of Aphis craccivora Koch. by estimating the exhibited functional response. Results revealed that R. kumarii responded positively to the increasing aphid density and exhibited Holling's type II functional response. Similarly, the searching time also decreased when prey density was increased. However, the searching time of the first instar reduviid was prey density dependent factor. Both fifth instar and adult R. kumarii did not approach aphids. Among the four nymphal instars tested, fourth instar had higher predatory potential than other instars. R. kumarii fourth instar nymphs can be used to control aphids in groundnut ecosystem in 1:75.0 ratios.
Rhynocoris kumarii, Aphis craccivora, Prey density, Predatory potential, Groundnut
