Study on prey spectrum of social spider Stegodyphus sarasinorum (Karsch) (Araeneae: Eresidae) and its potential as biological control agent

Spiders have been known to be an important component of conservation technique of biological control. Their wide diet breadth and entomophagous nature makes their role crucial in regulating the population of a variety of insect pests. Yet little is known about their diet composition. The prey consumed by different species of spiders varies depending on their size, type of habitat and the occupied guild structure. Study on spiders has gained importance only recently. However, very little is known about the social spider Stegodyphus sarasinorum (Karsch). The present study was conducted to understand the diet breadth of this species during various seasons. The results show that insects from 8 taxonomic orders form the diet of the social spider. Among the prey Hemiptera, Diptera and Orthoptera comprise more than 75% of the prey. Apart from them insects from order Coleoptera, Dictyoptera, Hymenoptera, Odonata and Lepidoptera also serve as the prey. During both Kharif and Rabi seasons Hemiptera, Diptera and Orthoptera comprise the majority of the diet. The prey trapped by these spiders is of large size which is usually not predated by other invertebrate predators. Thus the social spiders are important in regulating the population of large sized insect prey.