Evaluation of Two Types of Prey on the Developmental Parameters and Population Growth Potentials for a Stinkbug, Eocanthecona furcellata via Age-Stage, Two Sex Life Table Method.

Eocanthecona furcellata Wolff, a predatory stinkbug, has garnered much attention as a biological control against Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera pests across various crops. The continuous and high-quality supply of prey is essential for its large scale rearing and commercialization. This study investigated the life history and population performance of E. furcellata fed on Lepidoptera prey, Bombyx mori larvae or on Coleoptera prey, Tenebrio molitor larvae under controlled conditions. Using age-stage two-sex life table methodology, we evaluated key developmental parameters and population growth potentials of E. furcellata fed on two types of prey. Results revealed significant differences in pre-adult duration (19.06 vs. 20.47 days), survival rate (0.98 vs. 0.89), adult longevity (27.50 vs. 15.77 days), total pre-oviposition period (25.17 vs. 26.74 days), oviposition days (8.17 vs. 5.37 days), and fecundity (445.54 vs. 222.38 eggs/female) between B. mori vs. T. molitor-fed population. Population features between B. mori vs. T. molitor-fed populations, such as the intrinsic rate of increase (0.17 vs. 0.15 d-1), finite rate of increase (1.1906 vs. 1.1628 d-1), net reproductive rate (218.56 vs. 100.69 ± 22.45 offspring/female), and generation time (3.97 vs. 4.59 days), also diverged markedly. Collectively, B. mori larvae were a much better prey than T. molitor larvae to rear E. furcellata.