Impact of Temperature on Functional Response of Rhynocoris Fuscipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to Different Densities of Lipaphis Erysimi (Homoptera: Aphididae), A Sporadic Pest of Mustard, Under Laboratory Condition

Rhynocoris fuscipes in each temperature regimes could prey on L. erysimi and was more predaceous during high temperature regimes. The number of Lipaphis erysimi consumed (y’) by R. fuscipes can be expressed in Hollings’ disc equation [y’=0.10(10-4.6y)x at 14±º1C and y’=0.06(10-2.3Y) x at 29±1ºC]. The maximum predation rate (k=2.16 at 14±1ºC and k=4.3 at 29±1ºC) were maximum at higher temperature regimes.

Keywords: Aphid, Biocontrol, Lipaphis erysimi, Rhynocoris fuscipes, Temperature regimes