Stage-specific Sensitivity of Reduviid Bug, Sycanus collaris (fabricius) to Insecticides: A Toxicity Analysis in Laboratory Condition

An important ecosystem service in plantations is the regulation of pesticides. However, modern agricultural practices often disrupt the diversity of natural enemies that manage pests by predation. The adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can conserve natural enemies that protect crop yield and reduce production costs. The current study is for the identification of a compatible insecticide to integrate a management strategy for the management of tea mosquito bugs. The results will enable strategies for compiling the biological control and chemical control. The laboratory studies revealed that organophosphate was considered the most toxic for all the nymphal instars and adults of Sycanus collaris (Fab.). Where as synthetic pyrethroids and avermectin show 100% mortality in first and second instars and were considered relatively safer insecticides for all the other nymphal instars and adults of S. collaris. This study demonstrates how the indiscriminate use of insecticides as a pest management strategy can directly disrupt the benefits of natural enemies.