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Functional and numerical responses of the reduviid predator, Rhynocoris fuscipes F. (Het., Reduviidae) to cotton leafworm Spodoptera litura F. (Lep., Noctuidae)
Author(s) -
Ambrose D. P.,
Claver M. A.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.1997.tb01415.x
Subject(s) - biology , predation , predator , functional response , fecundity , noctuidae , reduviidae , spodoptera litura , numerical response , lepidoptera genitalia , biological pest control , ecology , zoology , heteroptera , population , demography , sociology
Rhynocoris fuscipes positively responded to the changing abundance of prey and exhibited Holling's second model of functional response. Increased searching capacity and decreased handling time were observed with the increasing prey density in R. fuscipes. The considerable number of prey consumed by the predator per day at higher prey density than at lower density reflected the predator's biocontrol potential. Increasing prey density did not significantly shorten the IV stadium of the predator, whereas that of V stadium was significantly shortened. Predators' survival and longevity were not affected by the prey density. Low prey densities resulted in an increase in the pre‐oviposition period. Fecundity and hatchability were increased as a function of prey density.