【目的】 明确蠋蝽Arma chinensis成虫对不同龄期甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua幼虫的捕食能力，探索蠋蝽防治甜菜夜蛾的潜能。【方法】 在实验室条件下，分别测定了蠋蝽雌、雄成虫对甜菜夜蛾1-5龄幼虫的捕食功能反应及其搜寻效应。【结果】 蠋蝽成虫对各龄期甜菜夜蛾幼虫的捕食作用均符合HollingⅡ模型方程（R² =0.415-0.959）。与其他龄期幼虫相比，蠋蝽雌成虫对1、3和5龄甜菜夜蛾幼虫的捕食功能反应与HollingⅡ模型拟合得更好，蠋蝽雄成虫对1、2、4和5龄幼虫的捕食与该模型拟合效果更佳。雌、雄成虫均对甜菜夜蛾2龄幼虫的捕食量最高，分别为27.777和23.810头，雌虫的捕食量总体优于雄虫。蠋蝽雌成虫对甜菜夜蛾1-5龄幼虫的瞬时攻击率依次为0.201、1.165、1.101、1.007和0.590，处理时间分别0.053、0.036、0.054、0.128和0.151 d。蠋蝽雄成虫对3龄甜菜夜蛾瞬时攻击率最高，为1.595，对1龄幼虫最低，为0.134，对甜菜夜蛾1-5龄幼虫的处理时间分别为0.134、0.042、0.091、0.072和

0.113 d。随甜菜夜蛾幼虫密度的上升，蠋蝽的搜寻效应逐渐下降。【结论】 蠋蝽成虫能有效捕食甜菜夜蛾各龄期幼虫，尤其对2龄幼虫的控制效果最佳，并且雌成虫在害虫防控中的潜力比雄虫更强。

 [Aim]  To measure the functional response of Arma chinensis adults to different larval stages of Spodoptera exigua, and thereby assess the potential of using this species as a biological control for S. exigua. [Methods]  The ability of A. chinensis adults to prey on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, instar larvae of S. exigua was measured under laboratory conditions. [Results]  Predation dynamics for all instars were successfully modeled using a Holling type Ⅱ equation (R² =0.415-0.959). The predatory functional response of adults to 1st to 5th instar S. exigua larvae conformed to the Holling Ⅱ model. Compared to other larval instars, the predatory functional response of female adults to 1st, 3rd, and 5th instar S. exigua larvae best fitted the Holling Ⅱ model. The predatory functional responses of adult males to 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th instar larvae also best fit the model. The predatory capacity of adult male and female A. chinensis towards second instar larvae was the highest, with females consuming 27.777 and males 23.810, larvae. Adult females consistently showed higher predation rates than males. The instantaneous attack rates of female adults on 1st to 5th instar larvae were 0.201, 1.165, 1.101, 1.007, and 0.590, respectively, with handling times of 0.053, 0.036, 0.054, 0.128, and 0.151 d. The instantaneous attack rate of adult males was highest on third instar (1.595) and lowest for first instar (0.134) larvae. Handling times of adult males for 1st to 5th instar S. exigua larvae were 0.134, 0.042, 0.091, 0.072, and 0.113 d respectively. Search efficiency decreased as host density increased. [Conclusion]  Adult A. chinensis have strong predatory capacity for S. exigua larvae, particularly 2nd instar larvae. In addition, adult females have greater potential as biological control agents for S. exigua larvae than adult males.