Title

Spider (Araneae) Species Composition and Seasonal Abundance in San Joaquin Valley Grape Vineyards

Author Info

Michael J. Costello, University of California - BerkeleyFollow
Kent M. Daane, University of California - Berkeley

Recommended Citation

Published in Environmental Entomology, Volume 24, Issue 4, August 1, 1995, pages 823-831.

NOTE: At the time of publication, the author Michael J. Costello was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.

Abstract

As part of an investigation to estimate the effect of resident spider populations on Erythroneura variabilis Beamer, spider species composition, relative abundance, and seasonal occurrence were determined. Spiders were sampled monthly during the 1992 and 1993 growing seasons; their numbers were pooled and analyzed for species diversity using the Renkonen index of similarity and cluster analysis. Twenty-seven species of spiders were recorded, representing 14 families. The most common species were Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz), Trachelas pacificus (Chamberlin and Ivie), Theridion dilutum Levi, Theridion melanurum Hahn, Oxyopes scalaris Hentz, Oxyopes salticus Hentz, Hololena nedra Chamberlin and Ivie, and Metaphidippus vitis (Cockerell). Three species (C. inclusum, T. dilutum, and T. melanurum) constituted >30% of all spiders collected; however, species diversity varied among vineyard sites. In 4 vineyard sites, hunting spiders (C. inclusum, T. pacificus, Oxyopes spp., and M. vitis) dominated the fauna, representing an average of 79.7% of the specimens collected. In the other 3 vineyards, hunting and web-weaving spiders were more equally represented, averaging 43.5 and 50.0%, respectively,of all spiders collected. Species similarity between vineyards from both years ranged from 19 to 73% based on the Renkonen index. Similarly, cluster analysis showed a wide separation in species composition among sampled vineyards. The discrepancy in species similarity among sampled vineyards is discussed in reference to potential prey density and vineyard cultural practices. Seasonal abundance patterns of the 8 most common species are presented and discussed in reference to their respective phenologies.

Disciplines

Horticulture | Plant Sciences

Publisher statement

This article is the copyright property of the Entomological Society of America and may not be used for any commercial or other private purpose without specific written permission of the Entomological Society of America.