Rice Leafhopper and Planthopper Honeydew as a Source of Host Searching Kairomone for the Mirid Bug Predator, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Abstract

Kairornonal activity of honeydew of rice green leafhopper (GLH) Nephotettix virescence (Distant) and planthoppers viz ,,brown planthoppcr (RPH) Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) and whitebacked planthopper (WBPH) Sogatella furcifera (Horv) on their mirid bug predator Cyrtorhinus lividipennis (Reuter) was studied in the laboratory. Honeydew of all the hoppers was found to be attractive to all stages of the mirid bugs both in the Petri-dish and olfactometer bioassays, Mirid bugs were attracted to the treated spot, moved (quickly on the untreated area, searched slowly on the treated spot making sharp turns and showed antennal palpation. When choice was given between BPH and WBPH honeydew, mirid bugs preferred to move towards BPH honeydew. When choice was given among RPH, WBPH and GLH honeydew, mirid bugs showed the highest response to GLH honeydew followed by that of BPH and WBPH. Mirid bug nymphs perceived and reached the honeydew source quickly compared to the females. In olfactometer studies, mirid bugs behaved similarly when released in groups and individually.