Statement of Research Interest

Foraging Behaviour and Population Dynamics of Foliage runners spiders and orb weavers
Spider: Assessing their Potential as Biological Control Agent of the infestation of Hypsipyla spp.
(Lepidoptera: Psychidae) in Mahogany Plantation
Additionally, the efficacy of spiders to reduce pest populations is dependent on crop type and
increased spider diversity has a positive yet small impact on pest suppression (Michalko et al.
2019).

The rationale behind my research of interest boils to contribute to Sustainability of Mahogany

Production by reducing infestation of Hypsipyla spp. I developed interest in this research during
my recent research project on shade-tolerant food crops integration. On the field, I was exposed
to Khaya ivorensis plantation which was heavily attacked by Hypsipyla Robusta. I spotted three
different trees that were healthy without the attack of this pest. The spotted trees were also a host
for spiders. Agreeing with Bourtzis, K. (2008). Groups of spiders could be used as an
environmentally-friendly way to control pest.

Mahogany is a forest species with high commercial value in the global market, due to the quality
and beauty of its wood. It believed that it originated from Swietenia mahagoni, and Swietenia
humilis. In West Africa trees that share closely related characteristics to Swietenia are called of
the genus Khaya. Khaya senegalensis and khaya ivorensis are commonly used in West Africa.

Insects are one of the most diverse and successful forms of life on earth and demonstrate diverse
impact on their environment. Mahogany shoot borer is one of the most economically important
insect pests in forest conservation especially in the tropical forestry, by virtually reducing the
success in mahogany cultivation. Their infestation results in destruction of the shoot from the
epical end which eventually emerges to deformation of the tree whilst killing the weak ones
among them. Hypsipyla grandella and Hypsipyla grandella are known to be more economic
important pest. Though there are other Hypsipyla spp.

In general predators, spiders are capable of fulfilling a wide variety of ecological niches that
enable them to adapt, intercept and consume an array of insect species.
I am eager to carry out research around this to demonstrate the versatile services that would
benefit farmers by adopting Spiders into their pest management agenda. Though there are
sufficient research on weaver ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) and wasps that prove to be natural
indigenous enemy applied as a successful biological control agent (BCA) and strong component
of integrated pest management (IPM) against important damaging pest infestations of
commercial crops. However, Spiders are also more important in controlling plant pest.
According to Benamú et al (2017) Spiders are among most effective predators of plant pests.
Therefore, farmers facing pest invasion could benefit by introducing Spiders as a treatment. In
this concern, the foraging behavior and population dynamics of how these species work more
effectively are poorly documented, especial in tree plantations and hence need further studies.

Spiders are non-insect arthropods belonging to class Arachnida in the taxonomy. They use
venom to kill or paralyze their prey. They actively hunt or spin webs to trap insects,
invertebrates, and even small vertebrates like lizards and frogs. Foliage runners belong to the
family Clubionidae and the Orb weavers belonging to the family Araneidae .The Araneidae
Spiders can form groups of hundreds and even more than thousands, of interconnected webs to
provide large surface areas for hunting. Whilst the foliage runners use free – hunting strategy
thus chasing after their prey. These two spiders are regarded to be more successfully in pest
control. These spiders could form an important part of an integrated pest management
system. Because, they possess characteristics and behaviors that might enhance their
effectiveness as biological control agents. For example, spiders can easily survive when there is
absent of their prey for a longer period and have the ability to survive during spring.

The exploratory scheme of their colony is derived from their inner predation instinct. The
insufficient understanding of the population dynamics of these two spiders diverges from the
knowledge of other ground spider species. Because, spiders can be successful in reducing pest
numbers when their populations are diverse and abundant within their ecosystem.

Scientist performing mathematical model estimation by simulation could not resolve this issue,
adding inaccuracy to the deficiency of experimental proof. Thus, long-term monitoring of the
population dynamics as well as some aspect of their foraging in real time in the field is
compulsory to obtain a valid dataset. There is inadequate data on population dynamics and
foraging mahogany shoot borer. Several studies are highlighting the non-consumptive effects of
spiders in agro ecosystems show that the impact of spiders on pest populations may have been
underestimated in the past when only direct predation was considered (Michalko et al. 2019).
Spider foraging is comprise of how they capture and consume prey and even how they exhibit
their inner predation instinct towards their prey. It can be influenced by a lot of factors. The last
decades have witnessed the closing of the scientific applied research gap between and mahogany
shoot borer in Mahogany plantation with comprehensive novel findings. Most the research
findings on foraging of spiders basically emphasis on pest in agricultural food crops with little in
timber species. By introducing spiders, this goal will be achieve: easing the burden of
management costs for injurious insects in mahogany plantations. Spiders have also been
observed feeding on the eggs of lepidopteran pest species in corn, cotton and soybean
(Pfannenstiel, 2008). Spider predation of direct or indirect impact on pests within annual crops
has been fairly well documented.

I am eager to pursue MSc. Biology and conduct your research with you and perhaps in
your Lab. I would like to become an outstanding scientist in the future to help my country
(Ghana) and world as whole. I believe that attending Memorial University of Newfoundland will
surely help me attain my ambition.

Reference

Bourtzis, K. (2008). Wolbachia-based technologies for insect pest population control. Transgenesis and
the management of vector-borne disease, 104-113.

Benamú, M. A., Lacava, M., García, L. F., Santana, M., & Viera, C. (2017). Spiders associated with
agroecosystems: Roles and perspectives. Behaviour and ecology of spiders: contributions from the
neotropical region, 275-302.

Michalko, Radek, Stano Pekár, and Martin H. Entling. "An updated perspective on spiders as generalist
predators in biological control." Oecologia 189 (2019): 21-36.

Pfannenstiel, R. S. (2008). Spider predators of lepidopteran eggs in south Texas field crops. Biological
Control, 46(2), 202-208