Influence of prey on the development, reproduction and size of the assassin bug, Sphedanolestes minusculus Bergroth (Heteroptera: Reduviidae), a potential biological control agent

The relative importance of three different types of prey viz. termite (Odontotermes obesus Rambur), larvae of rice moth (Corcyra cephalonica Stainton) and tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura Fabricius) in mass rearing, conservation and augmentation of the biological control agent, Sphedanolestes minusculus Bergroth was analysed. Taking development, fecundity, hatchability and size of the biocontrol agent into consideration, the O. obesus was found to be the most suitable prey among all the three preys.