International Journal of Entomology Research

Authors
Mujahid Niaz Akhtar, Amjad Farooq, Sikandar Hayat, Arif Malik, Qurban Ali

Abstract
Relationship between American Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera. H) and four different species i.e. Araneus mitificus (Kidney spider garden), Plaxipus paykulli (Jumping spider), Thomisus pugilis (crab spider) and Hippasa holemerae (wolf spider) was evaluated in laboratory in free choice and no choice feeding assays. In free choice feeding assays, the consumption of fifth larval instar (27.13±2.8) by wolf spider was statistically high followed by crab spider i.e. (12.8±0.39). In no choice assay all spider species in current study preferred to feed on fifth larval instar of American bollworm. Spiders showed positive correlation with wind and humidity i.e. 0.0233 and 0.1619 respectively while it is negatively correlated with temperature (-0.379) in field conditions. Results of present study revealed predatory potential of these spider species against H. armigera larval instar, which shows spider could be a best biological control agent for this insect pest.