Spiders as Natural Pest Controllers: Insights into Their Distribution, Diversity, and Ecological Impact in Agriculture

Spiders, crucial for controlling agricultural pests, offer an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. They inhabit diverse environments, with their distribution influenced by climatic and abiotic factors. Spiders are a highly diverse group, ranking seventh in global animal diversity, and play essential roles in ecosystems as both predators and prey. In India, spiders are notably abundant in rice, sugarcane, and cotton fields, where they contribute to pest management. Recent studies have identified several new spider species, highlighting their significant but underrecognized role in natural pest control. This review underscores the need for more research on spiders for their positive utilization as effective biological control agents in various ecosystems.