Journal of Applied Entomology (2004) 128, 200-203

A. Dinter (2004)
A mass rearing method for the linyphiid spider species Erigone atra (Blackwall) (Araneae: Linyphiidae)
Journal of Applied Entomology 128 (3), 200-203
Abstract: A mass rearing method for Erigone atra (Blackwall) (Araneae: Linyphiidae) allowing continuous laboratory rearing is described. Twenty 1-2-day old spiderlings were kept together in plastic boxes, which were filled with soil containing a culture of the Collembola species, Lepidocyrtus lanuginosus (Gmelin) (Entomobryidae), and serving the spiders as a continuous available prey source. Once per week vestigial-wing fruit flies of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) were provided as additional prey. In addition, the rearing boxes were filled with wood-wool serving spiders as points of contact for their webs. After 3-5 weeks most of the spiderlings developed to adults, which were separated individually into glass tubes filled with soil and Collembola until all of them became adult. To produce a new generation of spiders 20-40 adult/subadult spiders originating from different mass rearing boxes were brought together and kept and fed in the same way as the spiderlings. Within a few days females started to produce eggsacs. The eggsacs were transferred into glass tubes filled with a layer of moist plaster of Paris until the spiderlings hatched, which were then bred as described above. Erigone atra was bred over 12 generations within a period of 2 years. The mean rearing success (from 1 to 2-day-old spiderlings to adults) was 59.3%. Decreasing rearing success, decrease of fecundity or decrease of adult spider size were not observed. Advantages and use of the mass rearing method are discussed in relation to rearing methods for other spiders.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Axel Dinter

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Erigone atra (predator)			Germany