Journal of Biological Control
  • Year: 2008
  • Volume: 22
  • Issue: 2

Impact of insecticide Synergy-505 on the functional response of a non-target reduviid predator Rhynocoris marginatus (Fabricius) (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) feeding on Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

  • Author:
  • Dunston P. Ambrose, S. Jesu Rajan, A. Ganesh Kumar
  • Total Page Count: 8
  • Page Number: 283 to 290

Entomology Research Unit, St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Palayankottai, 627 002, Tamil Nadu, India. E-mail: eruxavier@saneharnet.in

Abstract

Functional response studies in normal and Synergy-505 exposed adult males and females of Rhynocoris marginatus (Fabricius) feeding on Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) revealed Holling's type II curvilinear decelerating responses. However, Synergy-505 caused less pronounced type II functional response with reduced number of prey killed, attack rate and searching time and prolonged handling and recovery times in both adult males and females of R. margiuatus reflecting reduced predatory potential.

Keywords

Assassin bug, functional response, Rhynocoris marginatus, Spodoptera litura, Synergy-505