Predation on blackmargined aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) by spiders on pecan

Abstract

Spiders were collected in a pecan orchard and examined in the laboratory and in the field as potential predators of the blackmargined aphid, Monellia caryella (Fitch). Representatives from 11 families, 23 genera, and over 25 species were observed eating from 2 to 36 aphids per day. This is the first quantified report of aphid predation by spiders in pecan. Previous studies indicate a density of one spider to every 10–100 pecan leaves, and <1–10 blackmargined aphids per leaf typically occur on pecan. Spider predation in pecan appears to be important in biological control of the blackmargined pecan aphid.