Assessment of the Spider Fauna from Agricultural Agroecosystems Around Amravati, Maharashtra, India

The diversity of Araneae (spiders) in agricultural ecosystems plays a crucial role in pest regulation and ecosystem balance. This study analyses the diversity of spiders in Amravati’s agricultural fields, concentrating on two important Kharif crops that are cultivated using the mixed crop method: soyabeans and pigeon peas. The research highlights the species composition, abundance, and distribution of spiders within these crops, emphasizing the role of spiders as natural predators in controlling insect pests. A total of 1014 individual spiders, representing 41 genera and 14 families, and 28 taxa were identified across the surveyed sites. Four families—Araneidae, Lycosidae, Thomisidae, and Salticidae were found to be the most abundant, with Salticidae exhibiting the highest species diversity. Peak species diversity was recorded from August to November, with a noticeable decline in orb-weavers (Araneidae) following harvest of the soybean crop. By comparing spider communities across pigeon pea and soybean fields, the study identifies the influence of crop type, habitat, and environmental factors on spider diversity. The findings highlight the significant role of spiders in agroecosystems, particularly in the management of pest populations in Kharif crop cultivation. This work contributes to a better understanding of arachnid biodiversity in agricultural landscapes and its potential benefits for pest control in the region of Amravati, India.