Development of the Cursorial Spider, Cheiracanthium inclusum (Araneae: Miturgidae), on Eggs of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Development of the cursorial spider, Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz) (Araneae: Miturgidae), from emergence to maturity on a diet of eggs of the lepidopteran pest Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was characterized. Cheiracanthium inclusum developed to adulthood with no mortality while feeding on a diet solely of H. zea eggs and water. The number of instars to adulthood varied from 4–5 for males and from 4–6 for females, although most males (84.6%) and females (66.7%) required 5 instars. Males and females took a similar time to become adults (54.2 ± 4.0 and 53.9 ± 2.0 days, respectively). Egg consumption was similar between males and females for the first 4 instars, but differed for the 5th instar and for the total number of eggs consumed to reach adulthood (651.0 ± 40.3 and 866.5 ± 51.4 eggs for males and females, respectively). Individual consumption rates suggest the potential for high impact of C. inclusum individuals on pest populations. Development was faster and survival greater than in previous studies of C. inclusum development.