Feeding ethogram of Antilochus coquebertii F. preying on Dysdercus koenigii

Abstract

Antilochus coquebertii F. (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae) is one of the most important and voracious feeders of Dysdercus spp. First time, this study explained the feeding ethogram of both male and female A. coquebertii on Dysdercus koenigii adults (both male and female). Female adults of A. coquebertii consumed maximum prey (97.78 %) with respect to male (90.91%). The pre-feeding time was recorded maximum in male adults (12.22 min) as compared to female adults (4.1 min). In case of paralysis time, female adults take more time (0.47 min) as compared to male adults (0.46 min). Both male and female adults of A. coquebertii exhibited different preferences towards different body parts of D. koenigii with variable feeding time and number of feedings. Feeding ethogram showed that both of male and female A. coquebertii adults use their antennae in olfactory and gustatory sense. Based on feeding time, abdomen was more favored by male adults and thorax by female adults. While, in case of number of feedings, male adults of A. coquebertii preferred to feed on head and female on thorax of D. koenigii. Increase in body weight of female adults of A. coquebertii after feeding on its prey was found maximum (0.92 g) as compared to male adult (0.66 g). According to these findings, antennae of A. coquebertii have olfactory and gustatory sense while proboscis kept gustatory sense. Female adults of A. coquebertii is more efficient feeder of D. koenigii than male. Abdomen of D. koenigii was more preferred by male adults, while thorax by female adults of A. coquebertii.