A Report On The Predatory Behaviour Of Stink Bug Eocanthecona Furcellata Wolff (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) On The Eggs And Grubs Of Henosepilachna Vigintioctopunctata

Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a threat to commercial plantations of Solanum melongena species in Asia and there are no effective strategies for its control. We report here for the first time, the occurrence of the predatory stink bug Eocanthecona furcellata (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) nymphs and adults effectively feeding on H. vigintioctopunctata eggs and grubs. Eocanthecona furcellata is a native generalist predator that is easily reared in the laboratory and may be utilized as a biological control agent. Thus, E. furcellata can be used as a natural enemy in biological control programs targeting the pest on brinjal.