Spider Diversity in Some Common Oilseed Crops in Central Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Three commonly cultivated oilseed crops viz., soybean, sunflower and Indian mustard were
sampled to compare density and diversity of spider at different developmental stages. This study was
conducted at Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan. A total of 1210 spider individuals,
68 species and 5 families were sampled throughout the study period. The families showed different levels
of association with the crops, like Lycosidae and Clubionidae were found commonly spread and highly
abundant, whereas Philodromidae was only restricted to sunflower and locally rare. The Evippa sohani,
Pardosa fletcheri, Evippa shivajii and Pardosa oakleyi were recorded most dominant and commonly spread
spider species. Indian mustard constituted highest diversity of spider species followed by soybean and
sunflower. Spider species diversity on the Indian mustard was significantly different from the sunflower.
These predator species can play a major role to suppress devastating agricultural pests of oilseed crops,
thereby enhance the crop yield.