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.

Two species of predacious bugs, Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) and Andrallus spinidens (Fabr.) (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) were found effectively preying on Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) in organically grown maize from 28 to 56 days at GKVK, Bangalore. Population of E. furcellata in one square metre was more than A. spinidens during the 38 th and 39 th standard meteorological weeks. Adults and nymphs of both the species preyed on different stages of S. frugiperda larvae. These two species being initial colonizers has a potential in integrated management of fall army worm.

Studies on the biology and feeding potential of Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) on Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) were carried out at NBAIR, Bengaluru. Experimental results revealed that the total developmental period from egg to adult for male and female were 27.92±2.87 and 39.62±3.28 d, respectively. The life cycle of male and female passed through first, second, third, fourth and fifth nymphal instars (male: 2.42±0.51 d, 3.25±0.45 d, 3.25±0.45 d, 4.00±0.60 d, 4.42±0.51 d) and (female: 2.54±0.52 d, 3.46±0.52 d, 4.00±0.71 d, 4.38±0.65 d, 5.08±0.49 d), respectively. Total nymphal period is about 17.83±1.34 d for male and 19.46±1.20 days for female, respectively. Adult longevity of male is lower (10.25±2.96 d) compared to that of female (20.15±3.39 d). The premating period and mating period of adult E. furcellata was 2.33±0.50 days and 6.44±2.24 hrs, respectively. The pre-oviposition period, oviposition period of adult female was 2.89±0.60 and 11.22±1.72 days, respectively. The average number of eggs laid by the female was 209.29±28.11 in a single mated system. Egg incubation period was about 5.42±0.51 days. The predation rates of second, third, fourth, fifth instar nymphs, adult female and male on 2 nd, 4 th , 6 th instar prey of E.

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<p><em>Eocanthecona furcellata</em> (Wolff) is a potential native predator of lepidopteran larvae that can be easily reared under laboratory conditions and released in augmentative biocontrol for management of pests in various crops. For successful mass production of any predator cannibalism under crowded rearing conditions is the major limiting factor. In the present study, attempts were made to know the ideal population considered for group rearing with minimal or no cannibalism. It was recorded that the predator population of 5 to 25 on <em>Corcyra cephalonica</em> (S.) and <em>Galleria mellonella</em> L. and 5 to 30 on <em>Samia cynthia ricini</em> Boisd. and <em>Spodoptera litura</em> F. was feasible for group rearing with higher percent survival rate when reared in different group arenas. The survival percent was higher on hosts, <em>C. cephalonica</em>, <em>G. mellonella</em>, <em>S. litura</em> and recorded lower on <em>S. cynthia ricini</em> under group rearing condition. </p>