2017 Vol.23 No.2 PP 439-444

STUDIES ON HABIT, HABITAT, EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY, FEEDING CAPACITY AND PREY PREFERENCE OF WORB-WEAVING SPIDER, ZYGEILLA MELANO CRANIA

S.N. CHAUBEY

Department of Zoology,
S.D.J.P.G. College, Chandeshwar,
AZAMGARH (U.P.) INDIA
*Corresponding Author : Email : drsncchaubey@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Studies were carried out to investigate habit, habitat, external morphology, preying capacity and prey preference of worb-weaving spider, Zygeilla collected from different places of Uttar Pradesh, India. The spider was found to inhabit bushes and crop fields in its characteristic web. It bears cephalothorax \ larger than wide, narrowing in front. Occular quadrate slightly longer than wide. Legs moderately long and strong. Abdomen oval, longer than wide. Dorsum provided with distinct folium composed of white and black patches. In laboratory conditions it was found to prey actively/ preferably on soft bodied insects entangled in its web.

Key words : Bio-control agent, Habit and habitat, Morphology, Preying capacity, Prey preference, Zygeilla.