Species and Predation Capacity of Natural Enemy Spiders of Hyphantria cunea in Shenyang

doi:10.16409/j.cnki.2095-039x.2026.01.043

Abstract

Abstract: This study aimed to clarify the resource status and predatory capacity of spider natural enemies of the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury), in Shenyang. A systematic field investigation was carried out to determine the species composition and dominance of spider assemblages that serve as natural enemies of H. cunea. Additionally, laboratory-based observations of predatory behavior and functions were conducted. Five spider species were newly recorded as natural enemies of H. cunea in Shenyang: Araneus variegatus Yaginuma, A. khingan Zhou, Zhu & Zhang, Coriarachne melancholica Simon, Xysticus croceus Fox, and Phintella cavaleriei Schenkel. The dominance index of spiders (0.7461) was significantly higher than that of insect natural enemies (0.2539), demonstrating that spiders constitute the dominant predatory natural enemy assemblage of H. cunea in Shenyang. Among all collected spiders, Ebrechtella tricuspidata (Fabricius) ranked first, with a dominance index of 0.0694 and an importance value of 6.69%. Wandering spiders mainly prey on early-instar larvae of H. cunea, while web-building spiders primarily target late-instar larvae and adults of H. cunea. Significant differences in predation capacity were observed among 16 spider species belonging to 7 families and different genera. The predatory functional responses of 10 wandering spider species (representing different genera) to the 1^st- and 2^nd-instar larvae of H. cunea all fitted to the Holling Type Ⅱ model. Among them, X. ephippiatus Simon exhibited the highest theoretical maximum daily predation amount, with 50.518 the 1^st-instar larvae and 10.726 the 2^nd-instar larvae of H. cunea per day. Most wandering spiders demonstrated a higher instantaneous attack rate, shorter prey handling time, and higher predation efficiency towards the 1^st-instar larvae of H. cunea, suggesting that it is advisable to release spiders during the early stages of H. cunea outbreak. This study fills the research gap concerning spider natural enemy resources and their pest suppression potential against H. cunea. Species such as Ebrechtella tricuspidata and Xysticus ephippiatus have prominent biological control potential. The results provide a theoretical basis for the exploitation and resource utilization of indigenous predatory spiders.

Key words: spider, Hyphantria cunea, predatory natural enemies, predatory functional response

CLC Number:

S763.4

CHENG Yiran, LIU Zhaofeng, LI Zhixin, LIU Xudan, ZHAO Liping, SUN Shouhui. Species and Predation Capacity of Natural Enemy Spiders of Hyphantria cunea in Shenyang[J]. Chinese Journal of Biological Control, 2026, 42(5): 1064-1075.

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