The biocontrol potential of Philodromus (Araneae, Philodromidae) spiders for the suppression of pome fruit orchard pests

• Trophic niches of potential biocontrol agents, Philodromus spp., were studied.
• Philodromids preyed mostly on pest in nature as well as in laboratory.
• Philodromids avoided other natural enemies such as other spiders.
• Philodromids possess potential to control small- to medium-sized soft bodied pests.

A number of different generalist (polyphagous) predators occur in agroecosystems. Yet their biocontrol potential has been little investigated in detail. Philodromus species (Philodromidae) belong to the dominant spider species occurring in commercial orchards. We studied in detail the trophic functional traits of Philodromus albidus, Philodromus aureolus, and Philodromus cespitum (Philodromidae) by means of (1) the analysis of natural prey; and (2) experiments on acceptance of a variety of prey taxa. We found that the three philodromids are euryphagous. We classified prey species into three categories according to their function in the orchard: beneficial species, indifferent species, and pests. Philodromid spiders captured mostly other spiders in the field because spiders were most available. As concerns pests, the philodromids preyed mostly on Brachycera and Sternorrhyncha. They selected Acari and Brachycera. Indifferent species, such as Collembola and Nematocera, were also highly selected. In the laboratory, philodromids accepted mostly pests, such as lepidopterans, brachycerans, and aphids, while other spiders were accepted the least. The three philodromids have differentiated trophic niches with respect to prey size not only in the adult stage but throughout their ontogenetic development: P. albidus utilized smaller prey than the other two species. We conclude that the philodromids have a potential as biocontrol agents because they prey mostly on pests but their predation pressure is reduced due to higher selectivity for the indifferent fauna.

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