BIOLOGY OF THE SPIDER Peucetia arabica SIMON, 1882 (ARANEAE: OXYOPIDAE) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS.

The spider Peucetia arabica Simon, 1882 was found among wild plants in Gebel Elba, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt. Its life cycle was studied in laboratory. Males reached maturity after 7 spiderlings instars lasted (308 ± 2.34 days), while females passed through 8 spiderlings instars durated (345 ± 11.5 days). Different instars were reared on different stages of larvae of cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). Food consumption was also noticed, in addition to, mating behavior was observed.