[Aim]  To evaluate the predatory efficiency of Eocanthecona furcellata on Spodoptera litura larvae, thereby determining the potential for using E. furcellata for sustainable pest management in the field. [Methods]  Laboratory experiments were conducted using insect-rearing chambers, where individual E. furcellata of different developmental stages (3rd, 4th, and 5th instar nymphs, and adult females; 1 individual per chamber) were exposed to different densities of early, middle, and late-instar S. litura larvae. Predation rates across each predator-prey combination were quantified and correlated. The HollingⅡfunctional response model was employed to evaluate predatory capacity, efficiency metrics (attack rate, handling time, a/T_h, and 1/T_h), and the search efficiency of E. furcellata instars for each larval stage of S. litura. [Results]  The functional responses of all E. furcellata developmental stages to all S. litura instars were of the Holling type II model. Daily predation maxima on early instar prey ranged from 5.6-7.0 individuals per predator, with predation rates declining by 45.00%-58.33% at elevated densities. 5th instar nymphs had significantly higher predation rates than 3rd instar nymphs under high-density conditions (P<0.05). Maximum daily consumption of middle-instar larvae reached 4.6-6.6 individuals, declining by 48.33%-65.00% at elevated prey densities. 5th instar nymphs and adult females outperformed 3rd instar nymphs (P<0.05). For late instar prey, maximum predation rates were 4.0-5.4 individuals/d, declining by 50.00%-58.33% at elevated prey densities. 5th instar nymphs and adults outperformed other age classes (P<0.05). Composite predatory efficiency indices (a/T_h) and daily maximum consumption rates (1/T_h) increased progressively with predator age-class when preying on early and mid-instar prey, whereas for late-instar prey, predatory efficiency could be ranked as follows: 5th instar nymphs > adult females > 4th instar nymphs > 3rd instar nymphs. Search efficiency declined significantly with increasing prey density (P<0.01), with adults and 5th instar nymphs exhibiting optimal foraging capacity at equivalent densities. However, the search efficiency of all predator instars declined against older S. litura larval instars. [Conclusion]  Releases of E. furcellata should be synchronous, targeting the early larval stages of S. litura populations, with the strategic deployment of 5th instar nymphs to ensure sustained control.