New data on the distribution of Aguapanela arvi Perafán, Cifuentes & Estrada, 2015 in Colombia through collections and citizen science, with notes on the natural history (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

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  New data on the distribution of Aguapanela arvi Perafán, Cifuentes & Estrada, 2015 in Colombia through collections and citizen science, with notes on the natural history (Araneae: Theraphosidae) Abstract This paper expands the known distribution of Aguapanela arvi Perafán, Cifuentes & Estrada, 2015 in Colombia by reporting its presence for the first time in the departments of Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda. Additionally, new aspects of its natural history are documented, including parasitic interactions involving a parasitoid wasp and an arthropod-pathogenic fungus. These findings are based on field observations, specimens deposited in biological collections, and citizen science records. Aguirre-Cano, D., Moreno-García, R., Parra-Giraldo, A., Carmona-Aguirre, B., Palacios-Castro, S. and Álvarez-Arellano, D. (2026) “New data on the distribution of Aguapanela arvi Perafán, Cifuentes & Estrada, 2015 in Colombia through collections and citizen science, with notes on the ...

Survey of epigeic spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in a litchi orchard in Mpumalanga, South Africa

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Survey of epigeic spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in a litchi orchard in Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract


Spiders were sampled using pitfall traps over two 21-day periods in July 2020 and November 2020 at five sites within a litchi orchard in Hazyview, located in the Mpumalanga Lowveld of South Africa. In total, 407 specimens representing 16 families, 25 genera and 30 species were recorded. The Corinnidae (n = 229) represented 56.3% of all spiders collected, followed by the Salticidae (n = 56, 13.8%), Lycosidae (n = 40, 9.8%) and Gallieniellidae (n = 24, 6.0%). The families with the highest number of species were Salticidae (n = 7) and Lycosidae (n = 4). Wandering spiders made up 93.3% of the total specimens collected, while web-building spiders accounted for only 6.7%.


Conservation implications: Although this study focused on epigeic spiders rather than foliage spiders, some ground-dwelling species can help reduce pest populations through their vertical movement within the orchard. Therefore, understanding the assemblages and dominant patterns of spiders found on the floor of the litchi orchard can inform our advocacy for reducing chemical use and increasing the reliance on spiders for biological pest control. Additionally, recognising these dominant patterns is essential for maintaining suitable habitat conditions, ensuring the sustainability of biological control programmes and the conservation of predator species.



Yekwayo, I., Mwabvu, T., & Dippenaar-Schoeman, A. (2025). Survey of epigeic spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in a litchi orchard in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Koedoe, 67(1), 5 pages. doi:https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v67i1.1851