The neonicotinoid imidacloprid impairs the predatory performance and functional response of the jumping spider Helpis minitabunda (Araneae, Salticidae)

  The neonicotinoid imidacloprid impairs the predatory performance and functional response of the jumping spider Helpis minitabunda (Araneae, Salticidae) Abstract The neonicotinoid imidacloprid can cause lethal and sublethal effects in non-target organisms, including impaired behavior, reduced fertility, disrupted locomotion, and reduced predatory performance in arthropods. Spiders are among the most abundant arthropod predators in terrestrial ecosystems, including agricultural ecosystems, yet the effects of neonicotinoids on the predatory function of jumping spiders remain poorly understood. The functional response of a predator describes how predation rates change with prey density and is key to understanding predator–prey dynamics. We tested whether acute exposure to a commercial formulation of imidacloprid at field-recommended concentrations alters the functional response of the Aussie bronze jumping spider, Helpis minitabunda (L. Koch, 1880). We compared the predation of treat...

Heterothele erdosi, a new species of Heterothele Karsch, 1879 from Nigeria (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

 


Heterothele erdosi, a new species of Heterothele Karsch, 1879 from Nigeria (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

Abstract
A new species of theraphosid spider in the genus Heterothele Karsch, 1879 is described from Ibadan, Nigeria, Heterothele erdosi sp. nov. (♂), representing only the second Heterothele species known from Nigeria. It is the smallest known species of Heterothele.

Sherwood, D. & Gallon, R. C. 2025: Heterothele erdosi, a new species of Heterothele Karsch, 1879 from Nigeria (Araneae: Theraphosidae). Natura Somogyienis 45: 51-56

Special thanks to Danni Sherwood for sharing with me, via ResearchGate