Annotated List of Spiders (Araneae) from Apple Trees in Nova Scotia

Abstract

Orchard spiders are important because of their predatory activities and their frequent abundance. They were recngnizcd as a group needing study at the time Pickett et al. (1946) began their long-term investigation of orchard fauna. The identities of the species involved, and their influence on populations of orchard pests, are the main factors to be considered.This paper presents a list of the species collected in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia to date, together with brief comments of a general nature. Spiders have been collected in about 40 orchards since 1954. These orchards were subjected to a variety of cultural and pest control methods by the owners, but most were in sod cultivation, and under modified spray programs as described by Pickett and Patterson (1953). Collecting was done mainly by capping lower branches of trees over an inverted, open umbrella, hut specimens were also taken individually from crevices along tree trunks, and from trays under fumigated trees.