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Quantifying Corticolous Arthropods Using Sticky Traps
Published on: January 19, 2020
Web orientation and prey resources for web-building spiders in eastern hemlock
Rachael E Mallis1, Lynne K Rieske
1University of Kentucky, Department of Entomology, S-225 Ag Science North, Lexington, KY 40546-0091, USA.
Environmental Entomology
|May 2, 2012
Summary
Eastern hemlock arthropod prey availability is dominated by Diptera. Spider web orientation and direction may optimize prey capture, potentially influenced by the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Arthropod Ecology
- Arboreal Ecosystems
Background:
- Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) forests host diverse arthropod communities.
- Web-weaving spiders rely on available arthropod prey within these canopies.
- The invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) impacts forest ecosystems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify prey items available to spiders in eastern hemlock canopies.
- To investigate the influence of web orientation and cardinal direction on prey availability.
- To assess how prey availability relates to hemlock woolly adelgid infestation.
Main Methods:
- Sticky traps simulating spider webs were used to sample arthropods.
- Traps were deployed with varying orientations (horizontal/vertical) and cardinal directions.
- Arthropod capture data were analyzed for patterns related to orientation and direction.
Main Results:
- Diptera constituted the majority (>70%) of available prey items.
- Psocoptera, Hymenoptera, and Hemiptera were other significant prey groups.
- A significant interaction between direction and orientation suggested a role in thermoregulation for prey capture optimization.
Conclusions:
- Arthropod prey availability in eastern hemlock is primarily Diptera, with other insects forming smaller proportions.
- Spider web placement may be influenced by thermoregulatory needs, impacting prey capture efficiency.
- Understanding alternative prey dynamics is crucial for assessing the impact of the hemlock woolly adelgid on spider predation and trophic interactions.
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