Diverse spider fauna in Dutch greenhouses: exploring their potential for pest control

Abstract: Spiders are common generalist predators in greenhouse environments, where they
may play a role in pest suppression. However, the extent of their impact and interactions with
other predatory species remain poorly understood. We observed a diverse range of spider
species in the greenhouses of our research station, including members of the family Linyphiidae (e. g., Erigone dentosa, Mermessus denticulatus, and Ostearius melanopygius), as well as species from other families, such as Theridiidae (Coleosoma floridanum), Uloboridae (Uloborus plumipes) and Salticidae (Hasarius adansoni). Some of these species exhibit unique associations with specific crops and microclimatic conditions. There is still little known about the predatory behavior, prey preferences and environmental requirements of these species. Investigating these aspects is essential to understand their potential for pest control and could provide valuable insights for developing novel integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.