Bioefficacy of Sycanus reclinatus Stal Dohrn, (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) on the Euproctis fraterna Moore (Lepidoptera:Lymantriidae)

Sycanus reclinatus Dohrn, (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is a reduviid predator of many agricultural crop pests. A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the bio efficacy of this predator using functional response as a tool. Sycanus reclinatus Dohrn third, fourth, and fifth instar nymphs and adults on Euproctis fraterna Moore were evaluated. The predatory rate gradually increased from the third instar nymph to adults. S. reclinatus killed and consumed more prey in high densities (4.5, 4.6, 6.0 and 4.5 prey/ predator). The rate of discovery gradually increased when the predator grew older. Handling time also increased when the predator grew older. S. reclinatus showed an exponential (Type II) functional response when E. fraterna was exposed to it. Type II functional response is more pronounced in pests. Such different patterns show that the predator needs to adapt distinct strategies according to the kind of prey available in the field. The biological control potential of S. reclinatus concerning the pest E. fraterna shows that the, searching time, handling time, and number of prey killed depended upon the prey densities and predator life stages. Hence, the predator S. reclinatus can be utilized to control and manage the selected lepidopteran pest.