Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
*Corresponding author's present address: SRM Institute of Science Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai - 603 203, Tamil Nadu, India; E-mail: muthukum2@srmist.edu.in
Online published on 17 February, 2022.
The mean per day mite consumption by Blaptostethus pallescens through its five nymphal instars, adult male and female were was found to be 2.78, 6.42, 9.89, 13.15, 19.50, 13.44 and 14.44, respectively. The rate of predation was maximum (19.50) in fifth instar nymph significantly superior to adult male and female i.e. 13.44/day and 14.44/day, respectively. Maximum mites predated (22.67) was observed at the density of 70 whereas the minimum predation (4.67) was noted at the density of 5 by adult male. Curvilinear functional response of both male and female anthocorid predators represents Type II model. Numerical response of anthocorid predator to Tetranychus urticae indicated that the fecundity increased with increase in prey density.
Blaptostethus pallescens, Functional response, Numerical response, Predatory potential, Tetranychus urticae
