Spiders
- Spiders are important natural enemies which should be protected to conserve the biodiversity and environment. Cashew orchards are rich in variety of spider fauna, which play a vital role as biocontrol agents for wide range of insect pests.
- A total of 110 species of spiders belonging to thirteen families , Araneidae, Clubionidae, Corinnidae, Gnaphosidae, Nephilidae, Oxyopidae, Pholcidae, Pisauridae, Salticidae, Sparassidae, Tetragnathidae, Theridiiae, and Thomisidae were recorded at ICAR-DCR, Puttur.
- Salticid spiders are very common in cashew plantations followed by Araneidae and Thomisidae.
- Spiders are found on every part of cashew trees like bark, foliage, inflorescences etc
- Common spider species recorded include Telamonia dimidiate, Oxyopes Shweta, Oxyopes sunandae, Epeus indicus, Phintella vittate, Neoscona poonaensis and Tetragnatha viridorufa.
- Spiders feed on different types of insects including flies, bugs, beetles etc including tea mosquito bug, which is a major pest of cashew.