ASSESSMENT OF RHYNOCORIS MARGINATUS (FAB.) (HEMIPTERA: REDUVIIDAE) AS AUGMENTED CONTROL IN GROUNDNUT PESTS
2003, 4 (2) p. 103-110
Abstract
All the life stages of the reduviid predator Rhynocoris marginatus (Fab.) were released (30, 50 and 70 Days After Seedling Sowing -DAS) into the groundnut field at 5000/hectare. Spodoptera litura (Fab.), Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), Atractomorpha crenulata, Chrotogonous trachypterus, Aphis craccivora, Mylabris pustulata and Mylabris indica were observed during the study period. R.marginatus significantly reduced S.litura(85.89%) followed by H.armigera(67.65%), A.craccivora(46.34%)and A.crenulata and C.trachypterus (42.86%). R.marginatus had no impact on the Mylabris spp. populations observed during the study period. R.marginatus not affect the other predatory fauna such as coccinellids (Menochilus sexmaculatus Fab., Coccinella septumpunctata ) praying mantis, wasp, damselfly (Agriochemis feminafemina Braucer ) and spiders (Lycosa tista Tikader and Hippasa pisaurina Pocock)found in the control and predator released field. Maximum production of groundnut was observed in the predator-released field (1480 Kg/hectare) than the sole crop (1104 Kg/hectare) and the results were statistically significant. Similarly, the net gain and the cost benefit ratio were also the highest in the R.marginatus released groundnut field.
Keywords
rhynocoris marginatus, reduviid hunter bug, augmentative control, groundnut pests
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