Spiders in Jasmine Ecosystem and their Response to Biopesticides

Jasmine, is a rising crop in Kerala with lot of commercial value with limited knowledge regarding their natural enemies. This study aims to document important spider predators of jasmine and evaluate effect of various biopesticides on them to develop an eco-friendly management. Nine spiders of four families were documented from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha districts of Kerala. Oxyopes shweta Tikader, Camaricus sp., Plexippus paykulli (Audonin), Hyllus semicupreus (Simon), Telamonia dimidiate (Simon), Thomisus lobosus Tikader, Argiope catenulate (Doleschall), Tetragnatha maxillosa Thorell and Phintella vittata (C. L Koch) were documented out of which Camaricus sp., A. catenulate and T. maxillosa were reported for first time from jasmine. In field experiment conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani microbials, oil based Beauveria bassiana, Metarzhiium anisopliae and talc based Lecanicillium lecanii and botanical formulations used were found safe to spiders.