Predation Capacity of Different Instars of Eocanthecona furcellata Reared with Artificial Diets to Spodoptera frugiperda
- Received Date: 15/07/2022
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Key words:
- Eocanthecona furcellata /
- Spodoptera frugiperda /
- predatory functional response /
- artificial diet /
- mass rearing
Abstract: This study aimed at evaluating the predatory ability of different instars of Eocanthecona furcellata to Spodoptera frugiperda. The predation function response was conducted under the laboratory condition to evaluate the predation ability of the 2nd to 5th instar and adults of E. furcellata againstthe 3rd instar of S. frugiperda.The results showed that the predation function response of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th instar and adults of E. furcellata on the 3rd larvae of S. frugiperda were in accordance with the HollingⅡ equation.With the maximum prey density, the daily maximum predation of E. furcellata from the 2nd instar nymph to the adult was 2.9, 6.7, 13.7, 17.3 and 15.5 individuals, respectively, and the theoretical maximum predation of corresponding stages of E. furcellata were 7.49,15.46,26.85,36.96 and 30.27 individuals, respectively, indicating that the 5th instar larvae of E. furcellata had stronger control ability than that of the other instar nymphs. This study built a valuable foundation for the mass rearing and application of E. furcellata for biological control of the fall armyworm S. frugiperda.