A checklist of ground-dwelling spiders in a banana orchard in Hazyview in Mpumalanga province

Abstract

Banana orchards, like other crops, are attacked by insect pests. Although spiders are among the natural enemies of these pests, we have limited data on the different types of spider species that occur in the banana orchards in South Africa. As such, in this study, we determined the occurrence of species of ground-dwelling spiders in a banana orchard. In addition, we compared species richness, abundance and composition of spiders sampled using pitfall traps in the colder (July) and warmer (November) months. A total of 635 specimens from 14 families, 30 genera and 33 species were recorded. Although the Corinnidae was represented by two species only, one of these species, Copa flavoplumosa Simon, 1886, contributed 53% of the total abundance of spiders recorded from the banana orchard. The Lycosidae, Salticidae, Gnaphosidae and Zodariidae were the most species-rich families, while the rest of the families were represented by one or two species only. There were greater species richness and abundance of spiders sampled in November than in July. In addition, our study showed that assemblages of ground-dwelling spiders are influenced by season. Although most of the collected spider species are represented by fewer individuals, their presence suggests a greater importance of spiders in the biological control of insect pests. Furthermore, despite the low numbers of individuals and species of spiders that we collected during the colder month, variation in species composition between the warmer and colder months suggests the continuous presence of spiders in the banana orchard, which augurs well for pest control. Conservation implications: Understanding the taxonomic diversity of spiders and their importance in pest control is likely to reduce reliance on chemicals in banana orchards. Thus, reducing both advertent and inadvertent biodiversity loss and ensuring ecosystem stability.