Species diversity and vertical stratification of spiders of the family Tetragnathidae Menge, 1866 (Araneae) in different paddy farming practises at Kuttanad, Kerala, India

Abstract

The study aims to understand the species composition and habitat preferences of the spiders of the family Tetragnathidae in rice agroecosystem of Kuttanad. Surveys were carried out for a period of five months from July to November 2020.  A total of thirteen tetragnathid species were collected from paddy fields and their nearby areas following  organic way (do not use any pesticide) and a total of nine species collected from rice fields with its surroundings which use chemical pesticides. It was observed that the ecological guild structure of these spiders was based on foraging behaviour in relation to the height of the rice plant.