Abstract
A reduviid bug, Panthous bimaculatus Distant. is reported as a potential biocontrol agent against the two major pests of Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.) Alston. viz., Eligma narcissus Roth. and Atteva fabriciella Swed. Based on both laboratory and field studies, it was found that the bugs were able to devour the larvae of both the pests. The predatory bugs were reared out successfully in the laboratory. Under field conditions, the predatory bug exerted only minimum control of pest population.
Keywords
Biocontrol agent, Predatory bugs, Pest population, Predatory potential, Nymphs, Dry deciduous forests, Control agent