6-YEAR STUDY OF SPIDERS (ARANEAE) IN A QUEBEC APPLE ORCHARD

Forty-one spp. of spiders were found in a Quebec apple orchard. The most abundant species were Theridion murarium, Araniella displicata and Philodromus rufus. Spiders generally had low population density throughout the study, and declined by 2/3 in the final year, probably resulting from several factors including use of broad spectrum insecticides for control of particular orchard pests [plant feeding mites, scales, apple suckers, aphids, and moths.].