Entomology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, St. Xavier's College, Palayankottai-627 002, Tamil Nadu (India).
*Present address: Department of Biotechnology, Madurai Kamraj University, Madurai-625 021, Tamil Nadu, (India).
Population dynamics of seven species of reduviids, viz, Acanthaspis pedestris Stal, Edocla slateri Distant, Catamiarus brevipennis Serville, Haematorrhophus nigroviotaceous Reuter, Neohaematorrhophus therasii Ambrose & Livingstone, Rhinocoris fuscipes Fabricius, R. marginatus Fabricius, was studied In Mutburmalal scrub jungle in Nellai Kattabomman district of Tamil Nadu (India) for two years from September 1984 ta August 1986. The population dynamics of these predatory reduviids showed that the reduvlid population was regulated by both prey density and abiotic factors The abiotic factors, viz, rainfall, optimum humidity and moderate or minimum temperature are essential for maintaining a good prey population as well as the predatory reduviid population.
