Spider Gallery
Spiders that prey on pests in apple, pear and walnut orchards of the Western US
Spiders are often feared by the general public. But they do a lot of good in the orchards. Recent work done with our project has shown that spiders are voracious eaters of many pests including moth larvae such as codling moth. (See "Codling Moth: its what's for dinner") The 50 or more spider species that might be present in a moderately sized organic orchard can be divided into two large groups: web-makers (about 55%) and hunting spiders (about 45%). Web-makers construct large silken webs (the design is often characteristic of that species). Their prey fly or fall into the webs and are stuck until eaten. Although hunting spiders also produce silk, they don't build webs to catch their prey. Instead they use their legs and mouthparts to capture prey. Some hunting spiders actively pursue their prey, while others use a sit-and-wait prey capture strategy allowing the prey to come to them.
Orchard workers often wonder were the spiders suddenly come from later in the season after not seeing them earlier. This is because Spring hatching spiders develop slowly and only become more noticeable after they have grown larger and started building bigger webs. This also gives the mis-perception that they only have web building spiders present, when in fact the hunters are all over the trees and orchard floor. Unlike the orchard insects, spiders only have a single generation per year. They overwinter as adults. Egg sacs may be laid either in the fall or in the spring. This is important to know from a management standpoint because harsh sprays early in the season may kill off the spider populations. Re-establishment of spiders would be a slow process. As part of our project, we included two spider species (Misumenops lepidus and Pelegrina aeneola) in our pesticide effects study. Knowing the impacts on spiders would give managers the ability to choose a pesticide less harmful to the spider populations.
The gallery below is made up of images showing examples of the species most likely found in western orchards. We've tried to use our own images, but have included many taken from Bugwood.org and Bugguide.net under the common use copyright agreement. Please refer to the applicable website for reuse of any of their images. If you would like to use our images, please check with us first.
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Crab Spiders
Family: Thomisidae (Size range: 4-10mm)
Many species of crab spiders can be found in healthy orchards. There are three very closely related genera of crab spiders that are difficult to tell apart: Misumena, Mecaphesa and Misumenops. The Misumenops celer, pictured here is a common species and example of what many crab spiders within this group look like. They also have very similar behaviors and food preferences. As the name suggests, they are crab-like in appearance and move like crabs. They use the larger more powerful front 2 pairs of legs to capture prey. Their camouflaged coloration (cryptic) allows them to hide in plain sight waiting for prey to come to them. These are very powerful spiders capable of capturing prey much larger than themselves including bees wasps and larger spiders.
Prey: white apple leafhopper, aphids, thrips, European red mite, pear psylla, stink bugs, small flies, and other spiders.
Image credit: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org Image #5402831
Crab Spiders
Family: Thomisidae (Size range: 4-10mm)
Immature crab spiders are tricky to photograph because they are very small and extremely active. Adults tend to be less active with more of an ambush or lay in waiting approach to hunting. The spider shown here was photographed on leaf litter on the orchard floor and is believed to be an immature Misumeops lepidus. Positive identifiaction is based on many features including configuration of the eyes and markings, the later of which may not start to appear until after 2 or more molts. This is one of the two spider species used in our pesticide effects study.
Prey: white apple leafhopper, aphids, thrips, European red mite, pear psylla, stink bugs, small flies, and other spiders.
Image credit: Eugene Miliczky, USDA ARS, Wapato, WA
Crab Spiders
Family: Thomisidae (Size range: 4-10mm)
The Xysticus cuntator crab spider shown here on a dried leaf illustrates how well they can blend in with their surroundings. This allows them to use a sit-and-wait prey cature strategy. This species is also commonly found in orchards.
Prey: white apple leafhopper, aphids, thrips, European red mite, pear psylla, stink bugs, small flies, and other spiders.
Image credit: Eugene Miliczky, USDA ARS, Wapato, WA
Crab Spiders
Family: Thomisidae (Size range: 4-10mm)
The Xysticus cristacus crab spider shown here is another crab spider species that may be present in orchards. Although they normally use the sit-and-wait strategy for prey capture in a location where they blend in, they will actively hunt if necessary.
Prey: white apple leafhopper, aphids, thrips, European red mite, pear psylla, stink bugs, small flies, and other spiders.
Image credit: Andrew Reding, Bugguide.net, Jefferson Co., WA
Crab Spiders
Family: Thomisidae (Size range: 4-10mm)
Because of the large powerful front legs crab spiders can attack prey much larger than they are. The Xysticus elegens shown here is attempting to capture a green stink bug thats over twice its size.
Prey: white apple leafhopper, aphids, thrips, European red mite, pear psylla, stink bugs, small flies, and other spiders.
Image credit: toronto-wildlife.com
Running Crab Spiders
Family: Philodromidae (size: variable by species)
Running crab spiders may look similar to their Thomisidae cousins. However, they tend to be a bit more elongate and the configuration of their eyes are different. The Philodromus cespitus shown here looks similar to Xysticus spp., but they dont have the larger front 2 pair of legs. Instead, their legs are long and slender and useful for running. Typically, running crab spiders use the same sit-and-wait prey capture strategy, but the long legs allow them to run fast when necessary to pursue prey or escape danger. This particular species can be found either in the trees or in the understory.
Prey: white apple leafhopper, European red mite, aphids, pear psylla, various flies, and other spiders.
Image credit: Eugene Miliczky, USDA ARS, Wapato WA
Running Crab Spiders
Family: Philodromidae (size: variable by species)
As mentioned on the previous slide, running crab spiders tend to be more elongate than their Thomisidae cousins. The Tibellus oblonsus shown here has a much more elongate body and very long slender legs. Tibellus sp. are more commonly collected from the orchard understory than up in the trees.
Prey: white apple leafhopper, European red mite, aphids, pear psylla, various flies, and other spiders
Image credit: Eugene Miliczky, USDA ARS, Wapato, WA
Orb Weaver Spiders
Family: Araneidae (Max size: 2.5cm female, 1cm male)
Though not the only spiders that spin webs, the Orb Weaver spiders are the group most likely responsible for the big webs you walk into while scouting your orchard. On this particular day, the orchard was scattered with their big webs stretching across the orchard rows. The occupant of this web is thought to be an Araneus sp.
Prey: aphids, thrips, European red mite, pear psylla, stink bugs, leafhoppers, moths, syrphids, other flies, bees, other spiders, and wasps. Basically, whatever lands in their web in fair game.
Image credit: Angela Gadino, WSU TFREC, Wenatchee WA
Orb Weaver Spiders
Family: Araneidae (Max size: 2.5cm female, 1cm male)
The Araneus gemmoides female shown here is part of a group referred to as "Cat-faced" orb-weavers. We collected this one while beat-tray sampling.
Prey: aphids, thrips, European red mite, pear psylla, stink bugs, leafhoppers, moths, syrphids, other flies, bees, other spiders, and wasps. Prey type depends on age/size of spider.
Image credit: Wendy Jones, WSU TFREC, Wenatchee WA
Orb Weaver Spiders
Family: Araneidae (Maximum size: 15mm )
There were also lots of these spiders (probably a male Araneus sp.) hanging out in the orchard on the day this was taken.
Prey: aphids, thrips, European red mite, pear psylla, stink bugs, leafhoppers, moths, syrphids, other flies, bees, other spiders, and wasps. Prey type depends on age/size of spider.
Image credit: Callie Baker, WSU TFREC, Wenatchee, WA
Orb Weaver Spiders
Family: Araneidae (Max size: 2.5cm female, 1cm male)
Although less common, Argiope trifasciata shown here can also be present in orchards.
Prey: aphids, thrips, European red mite, pear psylla, stink bugs, leafhoppers, moths, syrphids, other flies, bees, other spiders, and wasps. Prey type depends on age/size of spider.
Image credit: Eugene Miliczky, USDA ARS, Wapato, WA
Jumping Spiders
Family: Salticidae (Size range: a few mm to 15mm)
Although small (generally less than 8mm), jumping spiders look and act fierce. Many species are colorful and/or strikingly marked, especially the males, The Phidippus audax male shown here is such an example.
Prey: white apple leafhoppers, Western tentiform leafminer, leafrollers, codling moth, other caterpillars, pear psylla, ants, various flies, earwigs, other spiders, and various predatory and parasitic insects. Basically, a generalist feeder that will prey on whatever its current size can manage.
Imae credit: Eugene Miliczky, USDA ARS, Wapato, WA
Jumping Spiders
Family: Salticidae (Size range: a few mm to 15mm)
Female jumping spiders like this Phidippus comatus are less colorful than the males, but still have pronounced markings and the very large front-facing pair of eyes characteristic to this family of spiders. Jumping spiders actually have 4 pairs of eyes and are amongst those with the keenest eyesight in the spider world. They are known to stalk their prey and pounce from a distance of several body lengths, hence their name.
Prey: white apple leafhoppers, Western tentiform leafminer, leafrollers, codling moth, other caterpillars, pear psylla, ants, various flies, earwigs, other spiders, and various predatory and parasitic insects. Basically, a generalist feeder that will prey on whatever its current size can manage.
Image credit: Eugene Miliczky, USDA ARS, Wapato, CA
Jumping Spiders
Family: Salticidae (Size range: a few mm to 15mm)
This is an immature Phidippus sp. feeding on green apple aphids. An immature spider looks very similar to the adult. With each molt the size increases and markings and coloring will become more adult-like. The number of molts varies by species and sex. Since males are frequently smaller than females they may have fewer molts to reach sexual maturity.
Prey: white apple leafhoppers, Western tentiform leafminer, leafrollers, codling moth, other caterpillars, pear psylla, ants, various flies, earwigs, other spiders, and various predatory and parasitic insects. So, basically a generalist feeder that will go after whatever it thinks it can eat.
Image credit: Angela Gadino, WSU TFREC, Wenatchee, WA
Jumping Spiders
Family: Salticidae (Size range: a few mm to 15mm)
Although small (generally less than 8mm), jumping spiders look and act fierce. They also tend to be handsomely colored, especially the males, such as this Pelegrina aeneola male. This is one of the spider species used in our pesticide effects study as well as for gut content analysis studies.
Prey: white apple leafhoppers, Western tentiform leafminer, leafrollers, codling moth, other caterpillars, pear psylla, ants, various flies, earwigs, other spiders, and various predatory and parasitic insects. So, basically a generalist feeder that will go after whatever it thinks it can eat.
Image credit: Ryan Kaldari, Bugguide.net, Yosemite Valley, CA
Jumping Spiders
Family: Salticidae (Size range: a few mm to 15mm)
Although the males tend to be more colorful, the female Pelegrina aeneola still has nice markings and may be confused for a different species. She is also just as fierce of a predator.
Prey: white apple leafhoppers, Western tentiform leafminer, leafrollers, codling moth, other caterpillars, pear psylla, ants, various flies, earwigs, other spiders, and various predatory and parasitic insects. So, basically a generalist feeder that will go after whatever it thinks it can eat.
Image credit: Ryan Kaldari, Bugguide.net, Yosemite Valley, CA
Jumping Spiders
Family: Salticidae (Size range: a few mm to 15mm)
This is another variation of the adult female Pelegrina aeneola.
Prey: As mentioned, jumping spiders are generalist feeders that attack insects or other spiders. Selection of prey is more size dependent. Small, immature spiders will start out catching aphids, thrips and other smaller prey. As they grow, the prey size increases to include such things as late instar moth larvae or adult earwigs.
Image credit: Eugene Miliczky, USDA ARS, Wapato, WA
Jumping Spiders
Family: Salticidae (Size range: a few mm to 15mm)
Did I mention jumping spiders were fierce predators? This young male Pelegrina sp. is taking on an Oriental Fruit Moth larva.
Prey: white apple leafhoppers, Western tentiform leafminer, leafrollers, codling moth, other caterpillars, pear psylla, ants, various flies, earwigs, other spiders, and various predatory and parasitic insects. So, basically a generalist feeder that will go after whatever it thinks it can eat.
Image credit: Anonymous, USDA ARS, Wapato, WA
Hunting (Sac) Spiders
Family: Clubionidae (Size range: 5mm to 12mm)
This is another Yellow Sac Spider, Cheiracanthium mildei, feeding on a pandemis leafroller larvae.
Prey: white apple leafhoppers, Western tentiform leafminer, leafrollers, codling moth, other caterpillars, pear psylla, ants, various flies, earwigs, other spiders, and various predatory and parasitic insects. So, basically a generalist feeder that will go after whatever it thinks it can eat.
Image credit: Eugene Miliczky, USDA ARS, Wapato, WA
Hunting (Sac) Spiders
Family: Clubionidae (Size range: 5mm to 12mm)
Spider eggs are laid in groups enclosed in a silken egg sac. The number of eggs can vary from as few as 10-20 or as many as 1000 or more. The form of the eggs sac is also variable and may be diagnostic for a species. This is a female Cheiracanthium inclusum with a seven day old egg sac.
Prey: white apple leafhoppers, Western tentiform leafminer, leafrollers, codling moth, other caterpillars, pear psylla, ants, various flies, earwigs, other spiders, and various predatory and parasitic insects. So, basically a generalist feeder that will go after whatever it thinks it can eat.
Image credit: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org, image #5439741
Hunting (Sac) Spiders
Family: Clubionidae (Size range: 5mm to 12mm)
These are freshly hatched Cheiracanthium inclusum yellow sac spider babies.
Prey: white apple leafhoppers, Western tentiform leafminer, leafrollers, codling moth, other caterpillars, pear psylla, ants, various flies, earwigs, other spiders, and various predatory and parasitic insects. So, basically a generalist feeder that will go after whatever it thinks it can eat.
Image credit: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org, image #5494924
Lynx Spiders
Family: Oxipidae (Maximum size: 8mm - O. scalaris)
Lynx spiders are active daytime hunters. And like the jumping spiders, have good vision. Oxyopes scalaris (a female shown here) is the most widely distributed lynx spider in the US and is the only one found in Washington state where it can be abundant in orchards. The body shape and eye arrangement are diagnostic characteristics since coloring can vary. They also have long spiny legs making them good runners and jumpers.
Prey: aphids, white apple leafhopper, western tentiform leafminer, Campylomma, various flies, ants, other spiders and wasps.
Image credit: Eugene Miliczky, USDA ARS, Wapato WA
Lynx Spiders
Family: Oxipidae
The male Oxyopes scalaris tends to be darker than the female. However, this species is known to be variable in color regardless of sex. Could be a population or regional variation.
Prey: aphids, white apple leafhopper, western tentiform leafminer, Campylomma, various flies, ants, other spiders and wasps.
Image credit: Rod Crawford, Hay Cyn. Album, Chelan Co., WA
Ghost Spiders
Family: Anyphaenidae (Size range: 2mm to 9mm)
The Ghost spider Anyphaena pacifica often makes ts home in curled leaves. This lucky spider had unsuspecting leafroller larvae drop in for dinner.
Prey: another generalist feeder that typically captures prey smaller than itself. As they grow, the size of their also gets larger. First instars made feed on small prey such as aphids, thrips and leafhoppers. Adults may prey on adult earwigs, and codling moth and leafroller larvae, or even other spiders or wasps.
image credit: Wendy Jones, WSU TFREC, Wenatchee, WA
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