New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
Spiders (Araneae) and harvestmen (Opiliones) in arable crops and grasses
in Canterbury, New Zealand
Cor J. Vink†
David A. J. Teulon*
Andrew R. G. McLachlan‡
Marlon A. W. Stufkens
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited
Private Bag 4704
Christchurch, New Zealand
†Present address: Department of Biology, San Diego State University,
San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA.
‡Present address: Teaching and Learning Services, P.O. Box 84, Lincoln
University, Canterbury, New Zealand.
*Author for correspondence.
Abstract As an initial step in assessing the impact
of spiders and harvestmen as biological control agents for insect pests of
arable crops, the population density and species richness of spiders and
harvestmen were examined in a range of cereal crops and grasses at two sites
in Canterbury, New Zealand, in 1996, 1997, and 1999 using a ground suction
sampler. Twenty spiders (Order Araneae) and one harvestman (Order Opiliones)
were identified from the grass and cereal samples. Thirteen were endemic
species. Population densities were estimated in ryegrass, fescue, cocksfoot,
prairie grass, wheat, and barley. Greatest population density and species
richness were found in fescue and ungrazed ryegrass, in which mean densities
of up to 180.8 spiders and harvestmen per square metre were recorded. Estimates
of density and species richness were much higher in grasses than in cereals.
The introduced linyphiid spider Tenuiphantes tenuis (Blackwall), comprised
over half of the spiders and harvestmen sampled. Other commonly found species
were the introduced money spider (Erigone wiltoni Locket), and the
endemic wolf spider Anoteropsis hilaris (L. Koch). The introduced
harvestman Phalangium opilio L. was also common.
Keywords spiders; harvestmen; arable crops; grasses;
species richness; density
Z03006; Received 21 February 2003; accepted 20 October 2003; Online publication
date 12 May 2004
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2004, Vol. 31: 149-159
0301-4223/04/3102-0149 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004
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