Observational evidence that the diet of wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) in paddies temporarily depends on dipterous insects

Abstract

The diets of the wolf spiders Pardosa pseudoannulata and Pirata subpiraticus were elucidated by direct observation in paddies from July to September 2000. In July, dipterous insects were the most numerous prey consumed by P. pseudoannulata and the second numerous prey consumed by P. subpiraticus, comprising over 50% and over 20% of their respective diets. In contrast, in August, the proportion of dipterous insects decreased dramatically and hoppers were the most numerous prey, comprising over 60% and over 70% of all insects and spiders consumed by P. pseudoannulata and P. subpiraticus, respectively. In September, predators such as wolf spiders and aquatic Heteroptera were frequently observed in their diets. Overall, the green rice leafhopper, Nephotettix cincticeps, was the most numerous prey consumed by P. pseudoannulata and P. subpiraticus, followed by chironomids.