SMALL SCALE LABORATORY REARING OF A REDUVIID PREDATOR, RHYNOCORIS MARGINATUS FAB. (HEMIPTERA: REDUVIIDAE) ON CORCYRA CEPHALONICA STAINTON LARVAE BY LARVAL CARD METHOD

Abstract

A reduviid predator, Rhynocoris marginatus Fab. was reared at four different densities (25, 50, 75 and 100) on Corcyra cephalonica Stainton larvae. Fifty predators per rearing container were the suitable density for small scale laboratory rearing of this predator because this density had shorter nymphal developmental, preoviposition and incubation periods, female biased sex ratios minimum food requirements and maximum fecundity and hatchability. A life table was constructed in relation to the predator density. The net reproductive rate was higher in the 50 predator group and it decreased with an increase in the predator density. R. marginatus population doubling time (14.9 days) was found to be higher in the 100 predator category and increased as the predator density decreased. Cost of production of this predator for field release was also lower when compared to insecticide or NPV application.

Keywords

• reduviid predator
• predator density
• laboratory rearing
• development
• fecundity
• larval card.