Abstract
Present study was designed to assess the predatory interaction of orb-web spider Neoscona theisi (Araneae: Aranidae) against its prey brown plant hoppers (Sogatella furcifera). N. theisi is the highly abundant on folliage in all agro-ecosystems of Punjab, Pakistan. Its feeding efficiency was studied in laboratory and in microcosm under different prey densities. The amount of prey consumed at different densities of prey represents type II functional response. Handling time and attack rate was calculated by linear regression. The attack rate and efficiency of attack per hour were high in lab as compared to microcosm experiment but handling time was opposite of this. The observed feeding strategy of N. theisi suggested that spiders can have positive role in controlling agricultural pest such as brown plant hopper in a density sensitive way.
Muhammad Xaaceph , Abida Butt. (2014) Functional response of Neoscona theisi (Araneae: Aranidae) against Sogatella furcifera (brown plant hopper) , Punjab University Journal of Zoology, Volume 29, Issue 2.
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