Vol. 10, Special Issue 9 (2021)

Author(s):
Gollapelly Ravi, LN Mohapatra, Prateek Kumar Charati and Shaik Moizur Rahman

Abstract:
Occurrence of spider fauna in relation to biotic and abiotic factors in rice eco system was studied at Central Research Station and Department of Entomology, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, during Kharif 2018-2019 and kharif 2019-20. A total of 622 spider specimens belonging to 9 species, 7 genera and 4 families were collected from rice ecosystem under Bhubaneswar conditions by various sampling methods. The four recorded spider families in order of abundance were Araneidae < Tetragnathidae < Lycosidae < Oxyopidae. Araneidae and Tetragnathidae were the two dominant spider families as four species viz., spotted orb weaver, Neoscona elliptical (Tikader and Bal), grass cross spider, Argiope catenulate (Doleschall), orb weaving spider, Araneus sp, Larinia orb weaver, Larinia sp were recorded under family Araneidae where as three species viz., big jawed spider, Tetragnatha mandibulata (Walckenaer), long jaw spider, Tetragnatha maxillosa (Thorell), tailed tetragnathid spider, Tetragnatha javana (Thorell) were recorded under family Tetragnathidae. The families Lycosidae and Oxyopidae were represented by single species viz., wolf spider, Pardosa pseudoannulata (Boes and Strand) and lynx spider, Oxyopes bharatae (Gajbe), respectively. All the nine spider species recorded were active at vegetative stage, reproductive stage and ripening stage of the crop. Maximum population of spider (1.40/ m²⁾ was noticed at reproductive phase during 45^th std week (Nov 4-10) synchronizing with the peak activity period of BPH (18/hill) and WBPH (17/hill). A highly significant positive correlation existed between population of spiders irrespective of species and the incidence of leaf folder, WBPH, BPH and gundhi bug in both the seasons. Spider population regardless of species showed non significant negative correlation with minimum temperature, morning relative humidity, evening relative humidity and rainfall.