Life Cycle and Predation Potential of the Black Cricket, Methioche vittaticollis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) and Its Population Density in the Rice Field

Abstract

Life cycle and predation potential of a predatory black crickets, Methioche vittaticollis (Stal), were studied in the laboratory at the conditions of 27±1°C and 70±5% RH with a photoperiod of 14: 10 (L: D). Average life cycle was 90 days. The cylindrical eggs were laid singly within the leaf sheath and hatched in 17 days. Total nymphal period lasted 33 days. There were four nymphal stadia that lasted for 7.2, 7.7, 8.7, and 9.0 days, respectively. Adult male and female lived an average of 35 and 43 days, respectively. The female lay an average of 45 eggs during her life span. The number of striped stemborer (SSB) eggs consumed per day by 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar nymphs of M. vittaticollis was 1.7, 2.5, 13.3 and 184.3, respectively. Also, The number of SSB eggs consumed per day by male and female adults were 102.7 and 158.7, respectively. The fourth instar nymph consumed the most number of preys. The functional response curve of 4th instar nymph, male and female adults of M. vittaticollis to the densities of SSB eggs indicated Holling's TYPE II. The consumption of prey by the M. vittaticollis increased with the prey density but the consumption rate decreased. The attack rate of 4th instar of M. vittaticollis was the highest compared to the adults, and handling time was the shortest. Population densities of hoppers and lepidoptera in unsprayed field consisted of rice variety “PSBRc 20” were very low throughout the cropping period. This could be due to the high density of M. vittaticollis. M. vittaticollis was collected from the field and bunds, its population inside the field increased as crop matures. Bunds served as refuge for predators when the crop is maturity stage.