author(s)
Bhoyar ES, Wadaskar RM, Dadhe CG and Sormare SG

abstract
Studies on biology of reduviid bug, Rhynocoris marginatus reared on rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica during Kharif and Rabi season were carried out at Biocontrol laboratory, Entomology section, College of Agriculture, Nagpur (Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola). Experimental results revealed instar wise nymphal durations of 7.1±0.99, 8.3±0.82, 10.1±0.99, 12.9±1.52 and 20±1.16 days for I, II, III, IV and V instar, respectively, whereas, the adult male and female longevity was 81.3±6.33 and 116.9±9.71 days, respectively in Kharif season. During the Rabi season, nymphal durations were 8.3±1.15, 11.2±1.61, 13.7±1.05, 17.9±1.52 and 22.3±1.33 days for I, II, III, IV and V instar, respectively with male and female longevity of 90.2±6.05 and 119.3±8.50 days, respectively. The incubation period of eggs was lower during the Kharif (9.0±0.65 days) than in Rabi season (9.4±0.96 days), similarly, fecundity and hatching percentage during kharif (279.8±13.38 eggs and 88.38±7.24%, respectively) was more than in Rabi season (240.4±12.23 eggs and 77.30±3.77%, respectively). Oviposition period of 56.4±4.47 and 61.6±2.98 days was recorded during Kharif and Rabi season, respectively. The total developmental period for predatory bug, R. marginatus reared on rice moth, C. cephalonica during Kharif season was shorter with higher fecundity as compared to Rabi season indicating Kharif season as an ideal period for rearing under ambient conditions.