Environmental Entomology (1983) 12, 1652-1656

William D. Hutchison and Henry N. Pitre (1983)
Predation of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs by Geocoris punctipes (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) adults on cotton
Environmental Entomology 12 (6), 1652-1656
Abstract: The impact of Geocoris punctipes (Say) predation of Heliothis virescens (F.) eggs was evaluated, using large field cages. Predator and prey densities tested were similar to average densities occurring naturally on cotton in Mississippi. The number of prey consumed per predator by intermediate predator densities (10,756 to 16,134/ha) increased significantly as prey density increased (16,134 to 48,402/ha), but the percentage of eggs consumed remained constant (1.0 to 2.0% per predator per 48 h). The similarity of these results to a type I functional response is discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): William (Bill) D. Hutchison

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Heliothis virescens	Cotton (Gossypium)	U.S.A. (mid S)
Geocoris punctipes (predator)	Heliothis virescens	Cotton (Gossypium)	U.S.A. (mid S)