IMPACT OF SPACE ON DEVELOPMENT, SIZE, OVIPOSITION PATTERN AND HATCHABILITY OF ACANTHASPIS PEDESTRIS STAL (HETEROPTERA : REDUVIIDAE)

The laboratory hatched first instar nymphs of A. pedestris were reared in three different sized containers, such as, 52, 104 and 208 ml and were given uniform quality and quantity of prey. The total stadial period was shortest among individuals reared in 104 m) containers and almost same among individuals reared in 52 and 208 ml container. Adult longevity was the longest among individuals reared in 208 ml container and shorter among individuals reared in 52 and 104 ml containers. Reduction in s ace caused female biased sex ratio. Space had a direct impact on both egg and adult morphometry. As the volume of the container increased, the length and width of various regions also increased Individuals reared in 52 ml containers were reproductively efficient than the individuals reared in 104 and 208 ml containers in having more index of oviposition days, more number of batches of eggs, more number of eggs, higher average number of eggs per batch, maximum number of eggs per batch and total number of nymphs hatched etc. Reduction in space increased the reproductive potential and decreased the sizc of A. pedestris.