Functional Response of the Reduviid Predator Rhinocoris marginatus Fabr. on the Cotton Stainer Dysdercus cingulatus Fabr.

The present work elucidates the functlonal response of the reduviid predator Rhinocoris marginatus Fabricius on the prey Dysdercus cingulatus FabricIus, showing a linear relationship between the amount of food consumption and the prey density. The female and male R. marginatus consumed 1.7 and 1.9 prey/predator, respectively at the density of 2 red cotton bugs, but consumed more number of bugs (13.166 and 20 prey/predator respectively) at the density of 32 red cotton bugs during the same duration (24 h). This response, exhibits the predator's searching capacity, which Increases with prey population and thus reflecting its utility value as a biocontrol agent of red cotton bug D. cingulatus.