Abstract

Study was carried out in the vivo condition of okra vegetable crop for checking the predatory spiders on okra in the experimental area of Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam during Kharif season, 2013. Okra crop was planted on February 15, 2013 in a row trial at 75 cm distance between row to row with 22.5 cm distance between plant to plant. The results revealed that population of predatory spiders varied between the crop seasons. The peak population of predatory was observed during the month of May and reached up to 8.00±0.33/plant. The feeding potential of predators in the laboratory condition was recorded where; wolf spider consumed (75.00%) mites, followed by fishing spider (60.50%) mites, yellow sac spider (55.00%) mites and false black widow spider (40.00%) whiteflies. The predatory spiders preferred mites than whitefly, thrips and jassid under laboratory conditions at temperature of 25±2ºC. The correlation of population of predatory spiders was positive and significant with temperature (r=0.475) while, positive and nonsignificant with relative humidity (r=0.078). Keywords: Sucking pests, Temperature and RH%, Carnivores, Lady’s finger