Field Guide    Biocontrols  Spiders

Spiders

Spiders are natural predators that play a significant role in reducing pest populations in agriculture. Unlike many targeted biocontrol agents, spiders are hunters, feeding on a wide variety of insects, including aphids, caterpillars, beetles, leafhoppers, and other crop-damaging pests. Their adaptability makes them effective at keeping pest populations down without the need for human interaction.

Different types of spiders contribute to pest control in unique ways. Web-building spiders, form traps that catch flying insects, reducing populations of pests like moths and whiteflies. Ground-dwelling hunting spiders, like wolf spiders and jumping spiders, stalk their prey, killing pests at the soil level and on plants.

A main advantage of spiders for biocontrol are their ability to thrive in agricultural ecosystems without added support. Some other natural control organisms require additional support, but spiders naturally maintain healthy populations if their habitat is preserved.

Even though spiders may not eliminate pests all together, they help in reducing outbreaks and maintaining environmental stability. Having them in agricultural supports biodiversity.