Functional Responses of the Warehouse Pirate Bug (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) on a Diet of (Pearman) (Psocodea: Liposcelididae).

Psocids are difficult to manage using grain protectants and phosphine hence research on non-chemical control methods. This study evaluated the effectiveness of (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) at managing (Pearman) (Psocodea: Liposcelididae). The functional responses of adult♀ and nymphs of on a diet of nymphs, adult♂, and adult♀ of were determined under laboratory conditions at 28 ± 1 °C, 63 ± 5% RH, and a 0:24 (L:D) photoperiod. Maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of a logistic regression analysis showed that the functional responses of the life stages of on diets of three stages of were Holling Type II. Estimates of the attack rate (), handling time (), maximum predation () per day, and predation efficiency () per day for the two predator life stages against each prey life stage showed that the adult♀ predation rate was better compared with the nymphs. The adult♀ per capita consumption rate and searching efficiency were also higher than those of the nymphs. The data showed adults of are more favorable for adult♀ whereas their nymphs prefer nymphs of . Field evaluation of is required for their incorporation into psocid pest management.