LS - An International Journal of Life Sciences
  • Year: 2014
  • Volume: 3
  • Issue: 2

Feeding Behaviour of the Predatory Reduviid, Rhynocoris kumarii (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

  • Author:
  • G Evangelin1,, Bertrand Horne2,, M Muthupandi3,, S John William4,
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Published Online: Aug 1, 2014
  • DOI:
  • Page Number: 64 to 69

1Research Scholar, School of Entomology and Centre for Natural Resources Management (SECNARM), P.G. & Research Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Loyola College, Chennai-600034, Tamil Nadu, India

2Research Scholar, School of Entomology and Centre for Natural Resources Management (SECNARM), P.G. & Research Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Loyola College, Chennai-600034, Tamil Nadu, India

3Research Scholar, School of Entomology and Centre for Natural Resources Management (SECNARM), P.G. & Research Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Loyola College, Chennai-600034, Tamil Nadu, India

4Associate Professor, School of Entomology and Centre for Natural Resources Management (SECNARM), P.G. & Research Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Loyola College, Chennai-600034, Tamil Nadu, India

*Corresponding author email id: evangelin_g@ymail.com

**bertrandhorne28@gmail.com

***muthupandi7@gmail.com

****samueljohnwilliam@gmail.com

Abstract

The feeding behaviour of the predatory reduviids, which is highly prey specific and replete with evolving prey-capture strategies, is the sole reason for the abundance of these insects in hostile environments. Their search for nutrients can be efficiently put to beneficial use in agriculture. The utilisation of these insects in the biological control of insect pests increases their economic potential; hence, their extensive and varied feeding behaviour needs to be studied carefully in order to make better use of these insects in integrated pest management programmes.

Keywords

Rhynocoris kumarii, Feeding behaviour, Biological control, Venomous saliva