Medical Entomology and Zoology (2003) 54, 361-366

Hisayoshi Yoshida, Masahiro Yoshida, Yasuo Iwagami, Ikuko Taki, Teruhisa Sono, Kiyoko Uchino and Tomoyuki Tanaka (2003)
[The population dynamics of Latrodectus hasseltii (Araneae: Theridiidae) after control in Osaka prefecture]
Medical Entomology and Zoology 54 (4), 361-366
Abstract: An investigation on the recolonization and population dynamics of the Redback spider (Latrodectus hasseltii) was conducted bimonthly at a seaside park in Kaizuka City, Osaka, Japan, after all the spiders were completely removed from the study area in December 2000. The Redback spiders invaded again in February 2001, and their population density was recovered in December 2001. This study confirmed that breeding of Redback spiders began in June and continued until December. The minimum population observed in June was composed of only adult female individuals, while the maximum population found in December 2001 mainly consisted of larvae. The prolonged breeding might have caused the increase of population density and dispersal. The temperature measured ranged from -0.5°C to 46.1°C; however, the Redback spider tolerated this harsh environment. This confirmed that the Redback spider, a tropical or subtropical species, is capable of colonizing even in the temperate area in Japan.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: Japanese)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Latrodectus hasselti		Japan