Sujatha, A.2014-08-012014-08-012005Journal of Plantation Crops, 2005, 33 (1) : 48-52http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4484A field surveillance was carried out during 1996-97 in coastal and interior Karnataka, to study the seasonal abundance of Cardiastethus exiguus Poppius an important anthocorid egg predator of coconut leaf eating caterpillar, Opisina arenosella Walker. Data on seasonal variation in the population of C. exiguus revealed peaks during summer and post-monsoon seasons in coastal and interior areas, respectively on all ages of palms namely, seedlings, young and adult palms. The density of C. exiguus showed significant positive correlation with early larval population of 0. arenosella, in both zones of Karnataka. Seasonal fluctuations in the population was dependent more on biotic factors than abiotic.enAbiotic factorsCardiastethus exiguusKarnatakaOpisina arenosellaseasonal abundanceArticle