Predation of Phidippus sp [Araneae: Salticidae] on Nilaparvata lugens [Hemiptera: Delphacidae] at different densities

Abstract

Phidippus sp. (Araneae: Salticidae) is often found in rice field and has potency as the natural enemy of Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). The study aimed to know the predation of Phidippus sp on N. lugens in laboratory. The study used a Completely Randomized Design consisting of five treatments and five replications. The treatments were the difference of N. lugens densities of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50. Phidippus sp was collected from rice fields around Padang City, while N. lugens used was 2nd-3rd instar of nymphs reared in laboratory. The results showed that Phidippus sp has potency for controlling the BPH population. The predation tended to increase with increasing N. lugens density, but the percentage of predation and weight gain decreased. Phidippus sp was able to consume prey provided to a maximum of 96.0%. The increasing density shortened the time needed by Phidippus sp to find prey. The shortest time to find the first prey and the highest number of predation occurred at 50 individuals of N.lugens provided (1.99 minutes for 28.2 individuals preyed) but in lowest percentage of predation and weight gain (56.4% and 0.0004 g/day respectively). The functional response of Phidippus sp was logarithmic with a weak to strong correlation (r = 0.515).