Effect of weather factors on spiders (Araneida) in an Ontario meadow

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

In a 5-year investigation, population densities of spiders and associated arthropods were measured in a meadow by 'quick trap' and vacuum sampler. Analysis using empirical regression equations indicated that seasonal changes in spider numbers were largely explainable by weather factors, particularly cumulative temperature. Rainfall was also important, even on the moister, well vegetated part of the meadow. Much of the residual variability could be accounted for by the inclusion in the equations of other categories of arthropods such as Cicadellidae, Collembola, and Staphylinidae.