The southern black widow spider, Latrodectus mactans (Araneae, Theridiidae), as a predator of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), in Texas cotton fields

@article{Nyffeler1988TheSB,
  title={The southern black widow spider, Latrodectus mactans (Araneae, Theridiidae), as a predator of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), in Texas cotton fields},
  author={Martin Nyffeler and David Allen Dean and W. L. Sterling},
  journal={Journal of Applied Entomology},
  year={1988},
  volume={106}
}
In cotton fields of east Texas, the southern black widow spider, Latrodectus mactans (F.), was observed to capture the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, which constituted 75% of the prey of L. mactans. Remains of workers, queens, and males of S. invicta were found in the spider webs. L. mactans were observed to feed on ants captured in the webs indicating that S. invicta were used as a food source. Juveniles as young as third instar were observed capturing S. invicta workers. In… 
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References

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Evaluation of the Importance of the Striped Lynx Spider, Oxyopes salticus (Araneae: Oxyopidae), as a Predator in Texas Cotton

Predation by the striped lynx spider, Oxyopes salticus Hentz, on cotton arthropods was studied in an unsprayed field in east Texas to estimate how many prey may have been killed by the spider in the middle of the growing season.

Fortuitous Biological Suppression of the Boll Weevil by the Red Imported Fire Ant

The efficacy of the red imported fire ant as a predator of larval stages of the boll weevil was evaluated in 2 areas of Texas.

Spiders of the Arkansas Cotton Field

A seasonal succession of species was found, with some forms abundant early in the season, others later, and some even with two population peaks; the populations varied, however, as the season progressed and were quite different from field to field.

Spiders in eastern Texas cotton fields.

Web spinners were apparently more abundan t than hunters during a cool, wet year while hunters appeared to be more abundant in a hot and dr y year.

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The purpose here is to review this research, although because of space limitations, much of the recent work concerning the chemical toxicology and persistence of mirex, the chemical currently used for control of imported fire ants.

Predacious spiders in California cotton

Results of this study indicate that a wide variety of spiders are present in California cotton fields. Several of these are abundant during the cotton growing season and appear to feed extensively on…

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