Phonoctonus lutescens, the predatory bug of D. voëlkeri, belongs to the Hemiptera order, Heteroptera suborder, Reduviidae family, Phonoctonus genus and Phonoctonus lutescens species. P. lutescens is an organism that feeds on pests. It is also one of the main predators of the red cotton bug (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The cotton bug Dysdercus voëlkeri belongs to the order Hemiptera, suborder Heteroptera, family Pyrrhocoridae, genus Dysdercus, species Dysdercus voëlkeri, which is a harmful organism (pests) that damages cotton crops at the end-of-cycle in Burkina Faso. The control of this harmful cotton bug is based on chemical use only. For alternative solutions, a biological control method was investigated by using P. lutescens which is D. voëlkeri natural enemy, in order to develop a biological control method. The essence of this work is to know some biological parameters of P. lutescens before any use in biological control. The biological control of this pest requires knowledge on P. lutescens predator of D. voëlkeri. The study was carried out at Farako bâ experimental station in Bobo Dioulasso on the biological parameters of P. lutescens. Newly emerged P. lutescens individuals in metal cages are transferred in Petri dishes and fed with D. voëlkeri individuals under laboratory conditions. D. voëlkeri is fed on cotton seeds of the FK 37 variety. Rearing was used to study reproductive potential and survival potential (larval survival rate and adult lifespan). The development cycle, including 5 larval stages, lasted 57.23 ± 5.81 days. Larval survival rates ranged from 92% to 97.47%. Adults lived an average of 87.5 ± 27.99b days for males and 107.97 ± 24.21 days for females. The number of eggs laid per female was 366.73 ± 27.43 with an average egg-laying frequency of 38.1 ± 9.21. These results may enable us to better manage this predator by giving possibilities for the development of biological control and agroecological management strategies for this predator.

Biological control, phonoctonus lutescens, dysdercus voelkeri, Burkina Faso