Biology and potential of pentatomid predator, Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) on fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith)

Studies on the biology and feeding potential of Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) on Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) were carried out at NBAIR, Bengaluru. Experimental results revealed that the total developmental period from egg to adult for male and female were 27.92±2.87 and 39.62±3.28 d, respectively. The life cycle of male and female passed through first, second, third, fourth and fifth nymphal instars (male: 2.42±0.51 d, 3.25±0.45 d, 3.25±0.45 d, 4.00±0.60 d, 4.42±0.51 d) and (female: 2.54±0.52 d, 3.46±0.52 d, 4.00±0.71 d, 4.38±0.65 d, 5.08±0.49 d), respectively. Total nymphal period is about 17.83±1.34 d for male and 19.46±1.20 days for female, respectively. Adult longevity of male is lower (10.25±2.96 d) compared to that of female (20.15±3.39 d). The premating period and mating period of adult E. furcellata was 2.33±0.50 days and 6.44±2.24 hrs, respectively. The pre-oviposition period, oviposition period of adult female was 2.89±0.60 and 11.22±1.72 days, respectively. The average number of eggs laid by the female was 209.29±28.11 in a single mated system. Egg incubation period was about 5.42±0.51 days. The predation rates of second, third, fourth, fifth instar nymphs, adult female and male on 2 nd , 4 th , 6 th instar prey of E. furcellata were (16 ±0.95, 27 ±4.06, 55±4.67, 68 ±5.41, 126 ± 4.76, 97 ± 2.85), (7±1.34, 24±2.77, 40±3.39 45±0.71, 88±1.37, 51±1.60) and (4±0.82, 9±1.64, 21±2.81, 38±1.03, 69±1.32, 36±2.73), respectively.