D. Rajagopal ¹, Prasad Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560 065, IN

Abstract

Field investigations in south India revealed the occurrence of six species of carablds viz., Omphra pilosa Klug and Oxylobus dekkanus, Andrewes on termites, Calosoma maderae Fabricius on maize cutworm, Chlaenius panagaeoides Laferte on cowpea aphids, Casnoidea indica Thunberg on paddy brown plant hopper and an arboreal predator, Parena nigrolineata Chaudoir on coconut black headed caterpiUar as potential predators. Their morphologieal characters, seasonal activity, distribution, feeding potential and longevity were studied.

Keywords

Carabid Predators, Termites, Distribution, Caterpillars.

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Prasad Kumar ¹, D. Rajagopal ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065, IN

Abstract

A field study was conducted on the activity and distribution of Omphra pilosa Klug. Grubs and adults fed exclusively on all castes of termites. The adult fed on an average 15 workers and 2.1 alates per day. They had a preference to workers. The predatory consumption rate Increased with Increasing prey density. Grubs stored termites in their burrows. Both grubs and adults were more abundant and commonly associated in dryland crop ecosystem and lived under weed stubbles infested by termites.

Keywords

Omphra pilosa, Termites, Feeding Potential, Functional Response.

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