Biology and feeding potential of Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) on its lesser known prey, Spilosoma obliqua (Walker)

Abstract

Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an important polyphagous predator of several agricultural, horticultural and forest insect pests. The biology and feeding potential of E. furcellata were investigated on Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua (Walker), a lesser known prey under laboratory conditions. Gravid female laid on an average 203.6±12.56 eggs during its life time. Nymphs passed through five instars in 22.25 to 27.25 days and developed into adults. First instar nymphs had the shortest duration (2.5 to 3.25 days) while fourth instar took maximum days (5.5 to 6.5) to complete, while second, third and fifth instars completed in 5.07 ± 0.26, 5.20 ± 0.71 and 5.24 ± 0.39 days, respectively. Female bugs were bigger in size and lived up to 28 days, while males survived up to 18 days when fed on second instar larvae of S. obliqua . Neonate nymphs devoured 1.6 larvae of S. obliqua while second, third, fourth and fifth instar nymphs consumed 7.73, 11.93, 12.13, 18.67 larvae of S. obliqua , respectively. Individual male and female in their adult stage consumed average 84.25 and 125.5 larvae, respectively, and total consumptions were 136.31 and 177.56 larvae during their life-cycle. From the study, it is evident that S. obliqua could be used as an alternative host to mass rear E. furcellata under laboratory conditions when the main host is scarce or not available.