Efficacy of Cardiastethus exiguus Poppius (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), as a predator of the coconut caterpillar, Opisina arenosella Walker (Lepidoptera: Xylorictidae)

The effectiveness of Cardiastethus exiguus Poppius, as a predator of Opisina arenosella Walker was studied under field conditions from 1988 to 91. The predator population was highly synchronized with that of the pest. Predation on ectoparasitoid, viz, Bracon brevicornis Wesmael and Goniozus nephantidis (Muesebeck), was very low. Competition with other predators like Cardiastethus affiis Poppius, Buchananiella sodalis Buchanan, Parena nigrolineata Chaudior and Calleida splendidula (Fabricius) was almost negligible as their population in the field was either very low or their prey stages did not overlap with that of Cardiastethus exiguus. No substitute sources of food in the field were observed. Consideration of factors such as voracity of prey, rate of reproduction and synchronization of predator and prey population established the efficiency of C. exiguus.