Cotesia ruficrus is an important endoparasitoid of some Noctuidae and Pyralidae larvae which infest rice, wheat, maize, cotton etc. This paper reviews progress in the research the biological and ecological characteristics of this parasitoid and its application to pest biological control. Cotesia ruficrus has broader host range, shorter development period, longer adult longevity, larger population at field, and is easy to rear. It could be an effective insect pest population regulator and would play an important role in pest biological control by protection, introducing, artificially rearing and releasing. Parasites diseases and disorders; Parasites; Insect parasites; Hosts; Insect hosts; Ecology Noctuidae; Pyralidae; Hymenopteran parasites; Cotesia ruficrus; Parasite biology, review Cotesia ruficrus (Braconidae); Lepidopteran hosts; Noctuidae & Pyralidae; Parasite biology, review; Ecology none