06 Oca 2025 Pazartesi
Bio-ecology and predatory potential of the family Reduvidae with emphasis on utilization of their salivary toxin against pests of tea
Abstract : The tea is a perennial monoculture crop that provides a suitable growing environment as well as a food source for approximately 1031 phytophagous arthropod species, 250 of which are insect species. The primary method for controlling these pests is the use of chemical pesticides. Continuous use of chemical pesticides often correlates with pest resurgence, secondary pest outbreaks, development of resistance, and environmental degradation. Therefore, the adoption of biological control via releasing natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids, etc. has proved to be a necessary and alternative control method. In the tea ecosystem, there are many arthropod predators, including predatory Reduviid bugs. Their uncontrolled killing behavior makes them potential bio-control agents to be conserved and utilized in the control of pests. In addition, during predation, reduviid bugs inject venomous saliva into their prey's bodies, paralyzing them, which might be exploited in the future as a commercial insecticide against tea pests. In this regard, the data on the biology, ecology, host range, geographical distribution, and preying behavior of Reduviid bugs in this review has been compiled to gain insight into the potential of reduviid bugs in controlling tea pests and challenges in their utilization.