K. SAHAYARAp, P. SELVARAJ, AND K. NIRMALA
Abstract
Biological control potential of Rhynocoris fuscipes (Fabricius) to three groundnut pests such as Aphis craccivora Kouch., Spodoptera litura (Fab.) and Mylloceros sp., were studied under laboratory (without groundnut) and field (with groundnut leaves) conditions at different prey densities. R. fuscipes responded positively to the increasing prey density and exhibited Holling's type II functional response. The searching capacity was enhanced by the chemical cues of the groundnut leaves and thus decreased the handling time and increased the predatory potential of R. fuscipes.