Biology of predatory bug Eocanthecona furcellata Wolff (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on Corcyra cephalonica Stainton

Abstract

Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an important predator for several agriculturally important pests. The biology of E. furcellata has been done with several insect pests but there is no report on the laboratory host, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton). Hence, this study is aimed to understand the biology of E. furcellata Wolff. and its role in mass rearing on laboratory reared pest C. cephalonica Stainton. The analyses showed that the total number of eggs of the predatory stink bug was 44±8 days, incubation period 6±1.05days and the life cycle passed through five nymphal instars with a total nymphal period of about 16±0.64days. Male and female longevity were 12±1.05days and 14±1.09days, respectively, and total longivity period for male and female lasted 32±0.19 and 36+1.90days, respectively. Moreover, this study revealed that C. cephalonica could be used as alternative host to mass rear E. furcellata when the main host is not available.