Control Capacity of Eocanthecona furcellata to Helicoverpa assulta and Its Colonization Preference
- Received Date: 21/08/2022
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Key words:
- Eocanthecona furcellata /
- Helicoverpa assulta /
- functional response /
- colonization ability /
- biological control
Abstract: In order to evaluate the control efficiency of the predatory bug Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) on the oriental tobacco budworm Helicoverpa assulta (Guenée) and its colonization ability in the field, the predation functional response of E. furcellata was conducted on different instars of H. assulta both under laboratory and field condition. Ten common plant species in tobacco planting system were selected to determine the preference of E. furcellata. The results showed that the predatory functional response regression of E. furcellata on the 3rd to 5th instar larvae of H. assulta matched with the Holling II disc equation under the condition of (25±1)℃, (65±5)% R.H. and 16L:8D photoperiod. The theoretical daily predation capacity of adult L. dichotoma to 3rd instar larvae of H. assulta was the highest at 56.5 individuals, the instantaneous attack rate was 0.87, the handling time was 0.02 d, and the theoretical maximum predation capacity was 49.25 individuals. With one release at initial density of three hundred E. furcellata per hm2, the average control efficiency of H. assulta was 55.91% on the 7th day, and the average control effect of H. assulta was 68.29% on the 14th day, which was 6.09% higher than that of 25 g/L deltamethrin emulsifiable concentrate treatment. E. furcellata adults had a preference for nectar plants in the tobacco ecosystem. The distribution ratio of E. furcellata adults on the 10 plant species from high to low is soybean, cotton, radish, hibiscus, janapan, sweet potato, maize, broccoli, taro, tobacco. The highest oviposition of E. furcellata were observed on janapan and hibiscus plants, followed by maize. E. furcellata did not lay eggs on tobacco, broccoli, sweet potatoes and taro. In conclusion, E. furcellata had great potential for biological control of H. assulta. Planting certain types of nectar plants around tobacco fields could improve the colonization of this predatory bug.