POLYMORPHISM OF RHYNOCORIS MARGINATUS (FAB.) (HETEROPTERA : RUDUVIIDAE) ON THE BIOLOGY, BIOLOGICAL CONTROL POTENTIAL

ABSTRACT To know the influence of polymorphism of Rhynocoris marginatus (Fab.) on the biology, biological control pontential and molecular profile were recorded in the following partners : N male + N female; N male + S female, N male + NS female, NS male + NS female and S + NS female under laboratory conditions. Offspring produced by the S + NS female partners developed quickly having minimum body weight and size and egg hatching percentage, maximum relative growth rate both in first instars and adults, maximum survival rate (82.5 ± 3.50%), male biased sex ratio (0.23). In general, the predatory rate was increased when the prey deprivation period increased from 24 hrs to 72 hrs, third instars to adults. Molecular analysis studies revealed that the total free amino acid was high in N adult morphs. No unique DNA sequence was observed among the morphs of R. marginatus. Among the polymorphic R. marginatus, N male + N female; N male + S female, N male + NS female, NS male + NS female and S + NS, approaching time was also decreased in the latter instars and adult, the biological control potential is highly observed in 96 hrs starved N+N adults showed minimum approaching time, handling time, and high predatory rate. Among the experimental morphs the weight gain was maximum in N+N and minimum weight gain was observed among the morphs of SNS. Minimum total nymphal developmental period, least body weight, survival rate were recorded among the offsprings produced by S+NS, NS+NS and N+NS partners.