title: Preliminary study on biology and feeding capacity ofChelisoches morio(Fabricius) (Dermaptera:Chelisochidae) onTirathaba rufivena(Walker).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chelisoches morio(Fabricius) (Dermaptera:Chelisochidae) is an important predator ofTirathaba rufivena(Walker) (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae). For better use of the natural enemy, a biological study onC. moriowas conducted, particularly its developmental duration, survival, fecundity and sex ratio. And the feeding capacity ofC. morioagainstT. rufivenawas also studied under laboratory conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The biological study onC. moriowas revealed that female adults usually lay eggs in egg masses. The number of eggs per female averaged 140.17 eggs, and the incubation period was 7.50 days. The duration of nymphal development included four instars. The immature period was 83.95 days. The longevity of males and females was 58.60 and 93.55 days, respectively. The results from the study on the feeding capacity ofC. moriousingT. rufivenaas food revealed thatC. morioadults could consume 11.08, 7.87, 7.09, 6.82 and 5.89 first-to-fifth-instarT. rufivenalarvae, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  C. morioshowed a huge amount of predation on this pest at all larval stages, implying a significant potential for the use ofC. morioin controllingT. rufivena.
authors.affiliation: Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crop Biology/Coconut Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, 571339 Hainan People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Baozhu
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6749-172X
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crop Biology/Coconut Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, 571339 Hainan People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Chaojun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crop Biology/Coconut Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, 571339 Hainan People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Weiquan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qin
keywords: Biology; Chelisoches morio; Feeding capacity; Predator; Tirathaba rufivena