EFFECT OF SPACE ON THE POSTEMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT AND PREDATORY BEHAVIOUR OF ECTOMOCORIS TIBIALIS DISTANT (INSECTA : HETEROPTERA: REDUVIIDAE)
DUNSTON PAMBROSE *
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, ST, XAVIER'S COLLEGE, PALAYANKOTTAI - 627002, INDIA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Postembryonic development and predatory behaviour of assassin bug E. tibialis Distant was studied in the offsprings of 3 categories of females reared in 40, 80 and 160 ml containers. Individuals reared in 80 ml containers recorded the shortest stadial period and were reproductively efficient than the individuals reared in 40 and 160 ml containers, in having highest index of oviposition days, highest fecundity and hatchability and shortest preoviposition period. The shortest and the longest adult longevities were observed among the individuals reared in 40 and 160 ml containers, respectively. Space had direct positive effect on the weight of life stages and size of adult E. tibialis. Decrease in the rearing space enhanced the predatory efficiency.