Andrallus spinidens

(Fabricius, 1787)

Andrallus spinidens is a (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) distributed across southern Asia from Iran to India. It functions as a in agricultural , particularly rice fields and other crop systems, where it feeds on lepidopteran larvae including rice armyworm (Spodoptera mauritia), corn earworm (Helicoverpa armigera), and other pest . The species has been evaluated for potential and can develop and reproduce on both live and frozen prey, though hatchability is reduced with frozen prey.

187023592 Andrallus spinidens by Licheng Shih. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Andrallus spinidens01 by Merle Shepard, Gerald R.Carner, and P.A.C Ooi, Insects and their Natural Enemies Associated with Vegetables and Soybean in Southeast Asia, Bugwood.org. Used under a CC BY 3.0 us license.

Andrallus spinidens on yellow wall - 2 by KKPCW（Kyu3）. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Andrallus spinidens: //ænˈdræləs spɪnɪˈdɛnz//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Habitat

Rice-cultivated areas and diverse agroecosystems; recorded from crop fields including wheat, soybean, maize, pigeonpea, gram, rice, beans, cowpea, cabbage, and okra.

Distribution

North Iran; Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India (all six districts); broader range implied by iNaturalist observations (284 records) but specific localities not detailed in provided sources.

Diet

of lepidopteran larvae. Documented prey include: Mythimna separata, Helicoverpa armigera, Spodoptera litura, Cnaphalocrosis medinalis, Maruca vitrata, Chilo partellus, Spodoptera mauritia, Galleria mellonella, and Ephestia kuehniella. Can subsist on frozen prey when live prey are scarce.

Life Cycle

Developmental time varies with prey and condition; body weight at maturity affected by prey type for Ephestia kuehniella but not Galleria mellonella. and longevity unaffected by prey species or freezing. hatchability negatively affected by prey freezing.

Behavior

Exhibits to prey . Capable of developing and reproducing on frozen prey, though with reduced viability compared to live prey.

Ecological Role

of lepidopteran agricultural pests in rice and other crop ; evaluated as a agent.

Human Relevance

Studied for potential against rice armyworm and other crop pests. Susceptible to fungus bassiana, with isolate AM-118 from northern Iranian rice fields showing higher than isolate BB2.

More Details

Pathogen Susceptibility

are susceptible to bassiana . Isolate AM-118 (from rice fields of northern Iran) shows higher (LC50 = 15×10³ spore/ml) than isolate BB2 (LC50 = 37×10⁴ spore/ml), with elevated activities of , , Pr2 , and glutathione S-transferase in the more virulent isolate.