Pentatomid

Pentatomid bugs

Species: Eocanthecona furcellata Wolff. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

• It is one of the predators of pests of cashew recorded in cashew plantations in Puttur region of Karnataka. It is commonly noticed between September and March in cashew plantations but in very low intensities.
• This pest predates upon soft bodied insects especially leaf feeding caterpillars including hairy caterpillars and flower damaging caterpillars.
• Egg incubation period last for 6-7 days. There are five nymphal instars being completed in 15-19 days when reared on greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Gracillaridae) under laboratory conditions. Female bugs are bigger and have more longevity compared to male bugs. Each female lays about 250-350 eggs.
• Since this predatory bug has shorter life cycle, higher fecundity, high survival ability; it could be mass multiplied and promoted in suitable biological pest control programmes.