ARS | Publication request: Development of the cursorial spider, Cheiracanthium inclusum (Araneae: Miturgidae), on eggs of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 18, 2008
Publication Date: October 30, 2008
Citation: Pfannenstiel, R.S. 2008. Development of the cursorial spider, Cheiracanthium inclusum (Araneae: Miturgidae), on eggs of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Journal of Entomological Science. 43(4):418-422.

Interpretive Summary: Development of the cursorial spider Cheiricanthium inclusum to adulthood on a diet of eggs of the cotton bollworm was characterized. C. inclusum developed to adult with no mortality while feeding on a diet solely of bollworm eggs and water. The number of instars varied from four to five for males and from four to six for females, although most males (84.6%) and females (66.7%) required five instars. Males and females took a similar time to become adults (54.2±4.0 and females 53.9±2.0 days, respectively). Egg consumption was similar between males and females for the first 4 instars but the 5th instar and adult females consumed more. The total number of eggs consumed to reach adulthood was 651 and 866 eggs for males and females, respectively. Individual consumption rates suggest the potential for high impact of C. inclusum individuals on pest populations. All developmental characteristics were improved from previous studies of C. inclusum development.

Technical Abstract: Development of the cursorial spider Cheiricanthium inclusum (Hentz) (Araneae: Miturgidae) from emergence to maturity on a diet of eggs of the lepidopteran pest Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was characterized. C. inclusum developed to adulthood with no mortality while feeding on a diet solely of H. zea eggs and water. The number of instars to adulthood varied from four to five instars for males and from four to six instars for females, although most males (84.6%) and females (66.7%) required five instars. Males and females took a similar time to become adults (54.2±4.0 and females 53.9±2.0 days, respectively). Egg consumption was similar between males and females for the first 4 instars but 5th instar and adult females consumed more. The total number of eggs consumed to reach adulthood was 651.0±40.3 and 866.5±51.4 eggs for males and females,respectively. Individual consumption rates suggest the potential for high impact of C. inclusum individuals on pest populations. All developmental parameters were improved from previous studies of C. inclusum development.