Performance of the native predatory bug, Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), on the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and its limitation under field condition

Abstract

Abstract The invasive fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was reported recently in India, in 2018, destroying food and fodder crops. Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), the native pentatomid predatory bug, expanded its host range by predating on larvae of FAW. The incidence of E. furcellata started during the 36th meteorological standard week and reached its peak population (3.4 adult and 2.4 egg mass/m2) during the 40th MSW. The predator adult female was capable of feeding on 126 ± 4.76, 88 ± 1.37, and 69 ± 1.32 larvae of II, IV, and VI instars of S. frugiperda, respectively. The field performance of E. furcellata was narrowed due to the presence of platygastroid secondary parasitoids viz., Gryon sp., Telenomus sp., and Trissolcus sp. where rate of parasitism due to respective parasitoids reached up to 100, 91.80, and 77.68% Autumn 2019.

Keywords

• Spodoptera frugiperda
• Eocanthecona furcellata
• Performance
• Rate of parasitism