Reaction of Spiders (Arthropoda: Araneae) to the Entomogenous Nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) (Steinernematidae: Nematoda)

Spiders are recognised as important predators of insect pests of crops (Yasumatsu and Torii, 1968; Samal and Misra, 1975; Hokyo et al., 1976) and are commonly met with in the agro-ecosystems of the tropics. The effect of entomogenous nematodes on these beneficial organisms is not known. An experiment was conducted in the laboratory to study the reaction of two species of spiders viz., Stegodyphus pacificus Pocock (Eresidae : Araneae) and Lycosa pseudoannulata (Bosenberg and Strand) (Lycosidae : Araneae), occurring in the orchards and rice fields, respectively, to the entomogenous nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae (DD - 136 strain).