Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Quantitative evaluation of predation by spiders on the green rice leafhopper,Nephotettix cincticeps Uhler, by a sight-count method

  • Published:
Researches on Population Ecology

Summary

A sight-count method for evaluation of predation by spiders on the green rice leafhopper,Nephotettix cincticeps was proposed and its applicability was tested under natural conditions.

The number (n) of leafhoppers preyed on by spiders per rice hill per day was estimated by the formula:

$$n = \frac{{F \cdot C}}{P}$$
((1))

whereF is the frequency of predation observed per hill:P is given by dividing the time spent feeding on prey by 24 hours; andC refers to the total amount of feeding activity expressed in terms of the activity during the standard time interval. The total number (N) of prey attacked during the specified period can be given as follows:

$$N = \sum \left\{ {(n_i + n_{i + 1} ) \times \left( \begin{gathered} census interval between \hfill \\ times i and i + 1 \hfill \\ \end{gathered} \right) \times \tfrac{1}{2}} \right\}$$
((2))

With this method, the role of paddy-inhabiting spiders,Lycosa pseudoannulata, Oedothorax insecticeps, Tetragnatha spp, andEnoplognatha japonica, as predator ofN. cincticeps was evaluated with reference to life tables of the prey.

The advantages and limitation of the sight-count method were discussed as compared with other methods so far proposed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baldwin, W. F., H. G. James andH. E. Welch (1955) A study of predators of mosquito larvae and pupae with a radio-active tracer.Can. Ent.83: 350–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooke, M. M. andH. O. Proske (1946) Precipitin test for determining natural insect predators of immature mosquitoes.J. Nat. Malaria Soc.5: 45–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeBach, P. (1955) Validity of the insecticidal check method as a measure of the effectiveness of natural enemies of diaspine scale insects.J. econ. Ent.48: 584–588.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dempster, J. P. (1960) A quantitative study of the predators on the eggs and larvae of the broom beetle,Phytodecta olivaceaForster, using the precipitin test.J. Anim. Ecol.29: 149–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dempster, J. P. (1964) The feeding habits of the Miridae (Heteroptera) living on broom (Sarothamnus scoparius (L.)Wimm.)Ent. exp. appl.7: 149–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Downe, A. E. R. andA. S. West (1954) Progress in the use of the precipitin test in entomological studies.Can. Ent.86: 181–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fleschner, C. A. (1958) Field approach to population studies of Tetranychid mites on citrus and avocado in California.Proc. 10th Int. Congr. Ent.2, 1956 (1958): 669–674.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, R. R., A. E. R. Downe, C. R. MacLellan andA. S. West (1953) Evaluation of insect predatorprey relationships by precipitin test studies.Mosq. News13: 199–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huffaker, C. B., M. van de Vrie andJ. A. McMurtry (1970) Ecology of Tetranychid mites and their natural enemies: a review II. Tetranychid populations and their possible control by predators: an evaluation.Hilgardia40 (11): 391–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huffaker, C. B., C. E. Kennett, B. Matsumoto andE. G. White (1968) Some parameters in the role of enemies in the natural control of insect abundance (T. R. E. Southwood, ed.). London:Symposia Royal Ent. Soc.4: 59–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Itô, Y., K. Miyashita andK. Sekiguchi (1962) Studies on the predation of the rice crop insect pests using the insecticidal check method.Jap. J. Ecol.12: 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Itô, Y. andK. Miyashita (1968) Biology ofHyphantria cuneaDrury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) in Japan V. Preliminary life tables and mortality data in urban areas.Res. Popul. Ecol.10: 177–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, D. W. andC. C. Hassett (1950) Radioisotopes in entomology.Nucleonics6 (3): 5–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kajak, A. (1967) Productivity of some populations of web spiders.Secondary productivity of terrestrial ecosystems (K. Petrusewicz ed.). Warszawa, 1967: 807–820.

  • Kawahara, S., K. Kiritani andT. Sasaba (1971) The selective activity of rice-pest insecticides against the green rice leafhopper and spiders. (In Japanese with English summary).Botyu-Kagaku36: 121–128.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kiritani, K., N. Hokyo, T. Sasaba andF. Nakasuji (1970) Studies on population dynamics of the green rice leafhopperNephotettix cincticepsUhler: Regulatory mechanism of the population density.Res. Popul. Ecol.12: 137–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiritani, K., S. Kawahara, T. Sasaba andF. Nakasuji (1971) An attempt of rice pest control by integration of pesticides and natural enemies.Gensei22: 19–23. (In Japanese with English summary).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kobayashi, T. (1961) The effect of insecticidal applications to the rice stem borer on the leafhopper population.Special Rep. on Prediction of Pests, Ministry of Agric. & Forestry, No. 3, 126 pp. (In Japanese with English summary).

  • Loughton, B. G. andA. S. West (1962) Serological assessment of spider predation on the spruce budworm,Christoneura fumiferana (Cl. EM.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).Proc. ent. Soc. Ont.92: 176–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miyashita, K. (1963) Outbreaks and population fluctuation of insects, with special reference to agricultural insect pests in Japan.Bull. Nat. Inst. Agr. Sci. Ser. C., No. 15, 170pp.

  • Morris, R. F. (1963) The dynamics of epidemic spruce budworm populations (R. E. Morris ed.).Mem. ent. Soc. Can.31, 332pp.

  • Neilson, M. M. andR. F. Morris (1964) The regulation of European spruce sawfly numbers in the maritime provinces of Canada from 1937 to 1963.Can. Ent.96: 773–784.

    Google Scholar 

  • Putman W. L. (1967) Prevalence of spiders and their importance as predators in Ontalio peach orchards.Can. Ent.99: 160–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandness, J. N. andJ. A. McMurtry (1970) Functional response of three species of phytoseiidae (Acarina) to prey density.Can. Ent.102: 692–704.

    Google Scholar 

  • Southwood, T. R. E. (1966)Ecological methods with particular reference to the study of insect populations. Methuen & Co. Ltd. London, 391pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stortenbeker, C. W. (1967) Observations on the population dynamics of the red locust,Nomadacris septemfasciata (Serville), in its outbreak areas.ITBON Mededel. No.84. 118pp.

  • Varley, G. C. andG. R. Gradwell (1963) The interpretation of insect population changes.Proc. Ceylon. Assoc. Adv. Sci.18: 142–156.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Entomology, Prefectural Institute of Agricultural and Forest Science, Ino, Kochi, Japan

    Keizi Kiritani, Sachio Kawahara, Takafumi Sasaba & Fusao Nakasuji

Authors
  1. Keizi Kiritani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sachio Kawahara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Takafumi Sasaba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Fusao Nakasuji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kiritani, K., Kawahara, S., Sasaba, T. et al. Quantitative evaluation of predation by spiders on the green rice leafhopper,Nephotettix cincticeps Uhler, by a sight-count method. Res Popul Ecol 13, 187–200 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02521977

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02521977

Keywords

Search

Navigation