COMPARISON OF THE SURVIVAL OF THREE SPECIES OF SAC SPIDERS ON NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL DIETS

Abstract

Three species of sac spiders were reared under laboratory conditions to investigate their survival and development. First, the effects of three artificial diets, milk 1 egg yolk, soybean liquid, and a combination of them, on the survival and development of Hibana velox were evaluated. Results over a 10 wk rearing period showed that the percentages of survival of H. velox reared on soybean liquid and combination diets did not differ significantly. However, the survival of H. velox on the milk 1 egg yolk diet was significantly lower than on the other two artificial diets. More molts and instars occurred in spiders raised on milk 1 egg yolk and on the combination diet than on the soybean liquid diet. Second, the development and percent survival of three sac spiders (Chiracanthium inclusum , H. velox, and Trach- elas volutus) on artificial diet (i.e., the combination diet) and natural diets (i.e., citrus leafminer larvae and Drosophila adults) were compared. The three sac spiders developed into the adult stage on the combination diet. Similarly, all three sac spiders reared on Drosophila adults were able to develop to the adult stage. Chiracanthium inclusum and T. volutus reared on citrus leafminer larvae developed to the adult stage, whereas H. velox did not. Females of these three species that matured using combination diet and were fertilized in captivity produced 1-3 egg masses. Oviposition took place 2-7 days after mating. Chiracanthium inclusumhad an average of 57 eggs per egg mass, whereas H. velox and T. volutus had an average of 110 and 56 eggs per egg mass, respectively.