Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) Feeds on Aphids and Eggs of Coccinellids, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) and Coccinella transversalis Fabricius - A New Observation

Early and late instar caterpillars of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius), a known pest of many vegetable crops and other economically important plants, readily ate live Aphis craccivora Koch and eggs of coccinellids, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) and Coccinella transversalis Fabricius in the laboratory. These caterpillars developed normally, similar to those caterpillars which were exclusively fed on foliage of mustard or bean plants. Such a feeding habit of S. litura reported here for the first time, could have important bearing in relation to prey-predator interaction in a seasonal habitat.