Publication details
Predatory characteristics of ant-eating Zodarion spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae): Potential biological control agents
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2005 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Biological Control |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | Zodarion rubidum; Zodarion styliferum; Formicidae; Functional response; Biological control; Pest; Predation; Prey specificity |
| Description | Some ant species are important nuisance pests. Mechanical and chemical strategies are currently used to control them. A biological control, based on the use of a natural enemy, has not been used yet. The aim of this study was to investigate predatory efficiency of two ant-eating Zodarion spiders, in order to evaluate their potential in the biological control of ants. The investigation included identification of prey specificity, study of the functional response and the consumption rate. Zodarion rubidum was found to be a Formicinae specialist as it was more efficient in the paralysis of ants belonging to this subfamily than in the paralysis of Myrmicinae ants. The functional response was dome-shaped (Type IV) - the decline in attacking rate at higher ant densities was a result of the disturbance of spiders by ants. |
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