Abstract
The pentatomid bug, Andrallus spinidens (F.), is a polyphagous predator on lepidopteran larvae in rice fields in India. The basic biology and predatory potential of the bug was studied under laboratory conditions. The nymphs were reared in petri dishes and were fed 3 rd to 5 th instar Spodoptera mauritia (Boisduval) larvae. The mean development period from egg to adult was 21 days. Eggs were laid in batches of 45 to 95 and the mean total number of eggs laid by each female was 259. The second, third and fourth stage nymphs fed on 7.99, 8.32, 26.33 number of third instar larvae instar larvae of S. mauritia , respectively. The predator exhibited a type II functional response to S. mauritia larvae with a disc equation of Y’ = 0.41(5-0.74) x to the increasing density of S. mauritia . This study provides important life history information for using the predator A. spinidens as a possible biological control agent for army worm management in rice.
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