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Title: SPIDERS FOR PEST CONTROL

Author
item SUNDERLAND, KEITH - HORTICULTURE RES INTL
item Greenstone, Matthew
item SYMONDSON, W.O.C. - CARDIFF UNIVERSITY, UK

Submitted to: Pesticide Outlook
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Spiders are abundant and ubiquitous in agricultural systems, but their importance has been under-appreciated by farmers and agricultural industries. This article was prepared to acquaint farmers, pesticide manufacturers and members of the public concerned with the impact of pesticides on the environment with the current state of knowledge of the role of spiders in agriculture and their potential role in pest management Field experiments have demonstrated that spiders have the potential to control insect pests of rice, vegetables, cotton, and tree fruits. Spiders can be made more effective by using mulches that provide cover and additional non-pest insects for them to feed on, and by reducing tillage and the use of insecticides to the extent feasible. This information helps to alert farmers, industry, and the public to the potential role of spiders and other naturally occurring biological control agents in pest management. .If practices can be adopted that reduce the use of pesticides and enhance the role of spiders and other natural enemies, the sustainability of agriculture will be enhanced by reducing the impact of chemicals on beneficial insects and the environment.

Technical Abstract: Spiders are abundant and ubiquitous in agricultural systems, but their importance has been under-appreciated by farmers and agricultural industries. This article was prepared to acquaint farmers, pesticide manufacturers and members of the public concerned with the impact of pesticides on the environment with the current state of knowledge of the role of spiders in agriculture and their potential role in pest management Field experiments have demonstrated that spiders have the potential to control insect pests of rice, vegetables, cotton, and tree fruits. Spiders can be made more effective by using mulches that provide cover and additional non-pest insects for them to feed on, and by reducing tillage and the use of insecticides to the extent feasible. This information helps to alert farmers, industry, and the public to the potential role of spiders and other naturally occurring biological control agents in pest management. .If practices can be adopted that reduce the use of pesticides and enhance the role of spiders and other natural enemies, the sustainability of agriculture will be enhanced by reducing the impact of chemicals on beneficial insects and the environment.