title: Mass rearing and augmentative biological control evaluation of Rhynocoris fuscipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) against multiple pests of cotton.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rhynocoris fuscipes (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is a generalist predator of cotton pests and is commonly found inhabiting cotton-growing regions in southern India. With the goal of integrating this predator in standard management practices used against cotton pests on a commercial scale, (1) we developed a protocol for adult group rearing of this predator inside micro-environmental cages (MECs), and (2) we evaluated the biocontrol potential of mass-produced predators against cotton pests under potted and field conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher fecundity and adult longevity of R. fuscipes was recorded in the MECs than under natural growing conditions. The reduviid predator preferred stones and fallen leaves as hiding places in the MECs. The predator showed a higher biocontrol potential during the night hours against two pests, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley and Dysdercus cingulatus (Fab.), than during the day under potted conditions. Under field conditions, R. fuscipes significantly reduced the population of Aphis gossypii Glover, P. solenopsis, D. cingulatus and Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) by 28, 70, 29 and 50%, respectively. No negative impact of R. fuscipes was reported on other natural enemies present in the cotton agroecosystem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significantly higher crop yield and cost benefit ratio were observed in R. fuscipes-released plots than in the control plots. The results suggest that R. fuscipes can be mass produced efficiently under controlled conditions in MECs, and used in an integrated management program for multiple cotton pests. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Crop Protection Research Centre, St Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Majesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomson
authors.affiliation: Crop Protection Research Centre, St Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Kitherian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sahayaraj
authors.affiliation: Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Apopka, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Indian River Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Fort Pierce, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Pasco B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Avery
authors.affiliation: US Horticultural Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Fort Pierce, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Cindy L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.affiliation: Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Apopka, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Lance S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Osborne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D003368:Gossypium; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D011235:Predatory Behavior
keywords: augmentative biological control; mass production; micro environmental cages; reduviid predator