Role of Spiders in Pest Management of Rice Field Region in Sindewahi, District Chandrapur (M.S.), India

Abstract

Spiders (Araneae) are key generalist predators in rice agroecosystems and can suppress major pests
such as planthoppers, leaf folders, and stem borers. This study documents spider diversity, abundance,
and pest-predation roles in rice fields of Sindewahi (Chandrapur, Maharashtra) during July 2025–
December 2025. Sampling across the kharif season (July to October) and Rab season November,
December recorded 188 individuals belonging to 7 families and 13 species. Araneidae was the most
abundant family (89 individuals; 4 species), followed by Tetragnathidae (57 individuals; 4 species),
with notable contributions from Oxyopidae (16), Lycosidae (12), Thomisidae (7), Scytodidae (6), and
Salticidae (1). Dominant species included Argiope aemula (26), Neoscona adianta (25), Nephila pilipes
(20), Tetragnatha extensa (19), Leucauge argyra (18), and Oxyopes salticus (16). Field observations
indicated strong predatory associations: Araneidae and Tetragnathidae targeted gundhi bugs, leaf
folders, planthoppers, and leafhoppers; Lycosids focused on planthoppers; oxyopids on stem borers and
whorl maggots; salticids on caterpillars and flies; and scytodids on small soft-bodied nocturnal prey.
The assemblage structure and prey spectrum align with other Indian rice ecosystems, supporting the
integration of spider conservation (e.g., bund vegetation, reduced broad-spectrum sprays) into IPM
programmes for Sindewahi.