Feeding Efficiency of Predatory Spiders on <i>Myzus Persicae</i> (Sulzer)

Abstract

The present study focused on the feeding efficiency of predatory spiders on aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Under laboratory conditions, tetragnathid spiders showed significantly higher consumption rate followed by oxyopids and the least was observed with salticids and linyphiids. A significantly high overall consumption of prey by tetragnathid, oxyopid, salticid and linyphiid spiders was noticed with the treatment @ 10 prey (aphids)/ spider. These results indicate that even if the prey density increased, the consumption rate did not increase. In vitro survivability of lycosid and phalangiid group of spiders was merely 2 days, whereas spiders of other families survived 7-14 days.