Predatory behaviour of Langona tatarica (Charitonov, 1946) in controlled condition in district Swabi, Pakistan

Abstract

The growth and reproduction of spiders are directly related to the energy intake rate. Availability of prey, capture ability, feeding and digesting time, silk and energy required to control prey are affected by this rate. The predatory behaviour of Langona tartarica (Charitonov, 1946) in controlled conditions was observed at the laboratory of the Department of Zoology, Women University, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Live specimens of L. tartarica in a controlled environment were kept in an experimental display box covered with cover provided varied temperatures of 26 to 38 Celsius. It is first described that L. tartarica is an active predator like other Salticids species reported; it attacks prey and grasps with its four legs. It is also firstly observed that Musca domestica, Papilio casi, Psychoda spp., and Reticulitermes flavipes are their first preference over others like Coleoptera, Hoppers, and Crane fly if provided and avoid attacking or feeding on Oecobius and Oxyopes, (Araneae) in a controlled environment. Furthermore, L. tartarica builds a cocoon web in a controlled environment or, if displaced from its wild condition for rest and protection, mostly remains inside and frequently reconstructs the old web with a changed position.