Predatory potential of Lycosa pseudoannulata (Boes et st.) on rice pest, Sogatella furcifera Horvath observed under Laboratory conditions Muthukumar K.1, Murthy S.2, Sivaraman S. Post Graduate & Research Deptt. of Zoology, Loyola College, Chennai - 600 034, Tamilnadu, India. 1Reproductive Medicine Unit, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India. 2National Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Govt of India Undertaking, Pallikaranai, Velachery, Tamilnadu, India. Abstract Predatory potential of wolfspider, Lycosa pseudoannulata on white back planthopper, Sogatella furcifera was evaluated in the present study. Difference in predatory efficacy was observed between nymph II, III and adult stage. Increase in prey density (1–12) at various hours (6,12,24) improved the predatory efficacy. Nymphal stage III in comparison to other stages have significant impact on killing the prey at 6 and 12 hours at various prey density. Adult male and nymphal stage III were found equal in predatory potential at 24 hours. In similar, increasing the predator density (1–2) of nymphal stage III was effective in prey death at increased prey density over the adult stage but not significant at density of 3. Nymphal stage III plays vital role against rice pest Sogatella furcifera among stages of Lycosa pseudoannulata at early hours and adult male found comparable to nymph III only at 24 hours. Stages of Lycosa pseudoannulata have significance in predatory efficacy over rice pest, Sogatella furcifera under observed conditions. Top |