Importance of spiders in agriculture: Nature’s Weapon for Farming

Do you know how many types of spiders are there in the world? According to scientists, by 2024, there are 51,914 different types of spiders in the whole world. Out of these, 1981 types of spiders are found only in our country India. Now you must be wondering how these spiders are beneficial in agriculture. Actually, these spiders protect crops by eating insects and spiders in the fields. Their contribution is very important especially in crops grown in greenhouses and organic farming. In this way, the importance of spiders in agriculture especially comes to the fore.

Apart from this, spiders are also an indicator of environmental health. Just like doctors check our health by checking our pulse, spiders indicate the condition of the environment by their presence. In this way, these small spiders play an important role not only in our farming but also in protecting our environment. This also shows the importance of spiders in agriculture.

Physical Characteristics of Spiders

Spiders come in a group called Arthropoda. There are some special things about their body like- spiders have eight legs which are connected to each other. There is a hard layer on their body, which protects them from external injury. These small creatures are found all over the world. Be it a hot place or a cold place, spiders can live everywhere.

Let us tell you that they have not been seen in Antarctica, because it is very cold there. You will not see spiders in the air or in the sea, but they will be found almost everywhere on earth. Spiders play an important role in the fields of India. They act as the main predators in the agricultural environment here, that is, they eat the insects that harm the crops. Thus, the importance of spiders in agriculture is of utmost importance.

The Role of Spiders in Agriculture

Contribution to Pest Management

Spiders are meat-eating creatures. They need to eat continuously to sustain their lives. They hunt small insects. A spider can eat about 10-15 insects a day, depending on its size. Spiders have a very flexible stomach and can survive even in difficult conditions. Therefore, even if they get less prey, they can survive and produce their offspring.

Spiders catch their prey very cleverly. They first put poison in the insect’s body and make it unconscious. Then they start eating it. Some spiders even put a special kind of juice on the prey’s body, which melts its internal parts. Some spiders first crush the prey, then pour digestive juice on it, and finally eat it. In this way, spiders protect crops by eating harmful insects found in the fields. This process clearly shows the importance of spiders in agriculture.

Importance of spiders in Agricultural Ecology

Spiders are one of the major organisms that control insects in the fields. They play the role of hunters in the fields and protect the crops.

In China, farmers deliberately release spiders in paddy fields so that they can hunt insects and keep the crops safe. Similarly, spiders are also used in apple orchards in Israel to reduce the number of pests. Spiders also play an important role in pest control in farms in North and South America, keeping crops healthy and green. In this way, the importance of spiders in agriculture is recognized globally.

Contribution of Spiders in Protecting Crops

Spiders help a lot in preventing insects in agriculture. They are important in protecting different crops.

In Paddy Crop: Fighting insects in paddy crops is difficult. The insect called brown hopper is the most dangerous for paddy. Spiders of the Lycosidae family, especially the spider named Pardosa pseudonulata, are very good in preventing it. These spiders save the crop by eating this insect.

In Cotton Crop: Cotton has many types of insects like white fly, cotton hopper, thrips, and chickpea pod borer. Spiders help in reducing these insects. Spiders of the Oxyopidae family, such as Peucetia viridana, Oxypus birmanicus, and Oxypus salticus, save cotton from major damage by eating these insects.

In cabbage crop: A study conducted in Pauni Chak, Jammu, showed that a spider named Pardosa altitudis is very good at controlling the pests called aphids in cabbage. This spider reduces the number of aphids by eating them, which does not harm the crop. In this way, the importance of spiders in agriculture is great for every crop.

Overall contribution of spider 

Spiders help a lot in protecting different crops. They save crops from damage by eating insects and thus provide economic security to farmers. Instead of pesticides, spiders are becoming a natural and good alternative. They help a lot in organic farming and long-term farming. In this way, the importance of spiders in agriculture is clear to farmers.

Importance of spiders in organic farming

Nowadays, farmers are using less pesticides and farming in a more sustainable way. Spiders can be a good natural way to prevent insects. They can be used in place of pesticides. They limit the number of insects and maintain balance in nature. Thus, the importance of spiders in agriculture increases in organic farming.

Bright future of spiders in agriculture

It is important for us to gather more information about spiders. There has been limited scientific research on spiders in India, but in the future, there is a need for in-depth study on the identification of spiders in different crops and their beneficial use. Developing new methods of raising spiders in the laboratory can further increase their use in pest control. Spiders are not only beneficial from an economic point of view, but also encourage organic farming. They help in reducing dependence on pesticides and maintaining environmental balance. In this way, the importance of spiders in agriculture will always increase.

Also read: The use of Moringa in fish farming diet is very beneficial

Frequently asked questions on the importance of spiders in agriculture

Question: How many types of spiders are there?

Answer: According to scientists, by 2024, about 51,914 types of spiders are found in the whole world. Of these, 1981 varieties are found in India.

Question: How are spiders beneficial in agriculture?

Answer: Spiders protect crops by eating insects and bugs in the fields. Their contribution is important in crops grown in greenhouses and organic farming. Thus, the importance of spiders in agriculture is evident.

Question: What are the physical characteristics of spiders?

Answer: Spiders have eight legs and a hard layer on their body which protects them from external injury. They are found everywhere, except Antarctica.

Question: How do spiders help in pest management?

Answer: Spiders hunt small insects and can eat 10-15 insects a day. They stun their prey by applying poison and then eat it. In this way, the importance of spiders in agriculture is highlighted.

Question: What is the importance of spiders in agricultural ecology?

Answer: Spiders control insects in the fields and protect crops. Spiders are also used for pest control in China and Israel. Thus, the importance of spiders in agriculture can be understood globally.

Question: How do spiders help in protecting crops?

Answer: In crops like paddy, cotton and cabbage, spiders protect the crop by eating harmful insects. Such as brown hopper in paddy, white fly in cotton, and aphids in cabbage. Thus, the importance of spiders in agriculture is evident in the protection of crops.

Question: What is the contribution of spiders in organic farming?

Answer: Spiders become a natural alternative to pesticides, which keeps the number of insects under control and maintains the balance of the environment. Thus, the importance of spiders in agriculture is important in organic farming.

Question: What research can be done on the use of spiders in the future?

Answer: More research is needed on the identification and use of spiders in the future. By developing new methods of rearing spiders in the laboratory, their use in pest control can increase further. In this way, the importance of spiders in agriculture will continue in the future.