Spiders were sampled from organically and conventionally farmed Chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla and Chrysanthemum, Calendula officinalis in two successive growing seasons 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 in Fayoum region. Spiders were collected by ground pitfall traps. Seventeen species of spiders were recorded. Most of collected species belong to the family Lycosidae, with especially high captures of Honga sp., Pardosa sp., and Wadicosa fidelis. The Gnaphosidae was represented by Micaria dives and Zelotes laetus, although the samples were largely dominated by the presence of Steatoda erigoniformis, Theridiidae. Results showed that more spider population, and a greater number of spider species, were captured from organic than from conventional fields.

A study on mite species in marjoram and chamomile plantations in Fayoum was carried out during 2003 and 2004 seasons. Twenty-six species were found and divided according to their feeding habits into three major groups, phytophagous (7 species), predaceous (8 species) and a group of debatable feeding habits (11 species). Population density evaluation showed that Tetranychus urticae Koch was the main phytophagous mite on both hosts. The predatory mite Amblyseius cydnodactylon Shehata and Zaher was dominant on marjoram followed by Hemicheyletia bakeri (Ehara). From the debatable group, Pronematus ubiquitus Mc Gregor was the dominant followed by Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) and Paralorryia gizai El-Bagoury. On chamomile, the predatory mite Eupodes niloticus Abou-Awad & El-Bagoury was dominant and from the debatable group, Tydeus kochi Oud. was dominant followed by T. putrescentiae and P. gizai. Population densities were insignificantly affected by temperature and relative humidity.

The comb-footed spider, Anelosimus aulicus, has great potential to suppress insect pests of agricultural crops. The effect of some insecticides used against these pests on survival of this spider was investigated under laboratory conditions. Mortality and changes in the fine structure of the midgut 48h after treatment with Lannate ® , Reldan ® and Match ® were examined. The LC 50 's, LC 90 's and slope of these insecticides were given. Lannate ® was the most effective due to high acute toxicity, causing 66.7% mortality in females and 91.6% in males. It was also the most drastically effective on fecundity of females where no egg sacs were laid under the recommended field concentration (0.3gm/ 200 ml water). Reldan ® caused 58.3% mortality in females and 83.33% in males. The least effective was in Match ® causing 50% mortality in females and 58.33% in males. Obviously, males were more affected than females. The effect of insecticides on longevity periods and prey consumption of adults and, fecundity of females, at different concentrations of insecticides, were investigated. On the other hand, the histological study on the midgut glands of adults using Transmission Electron Microscope revealed similarity in structure of females and males of untreated spiders, whereas, treated spiders showed different changes indicated by the absence of some cells in the tissues in this organ, which might affect its digestive function and therefore ability for survival.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Egypt. The experiment carried out at Fayoum Governorate during two successive growing seasons, 2104/2015 and 2015/2016, to compare the effects of organic and conventional plantation of chamomile on the occurrence of some sucking insect pests and their natural enemies, spiders (Araneae) were the major and most abundant predators. Aphids, Aphis gossypii Glov. was the major insect pest. Organic plants hosted number of aphids less than conventional plants in two seasons. Thrips, Thrips tabaci Lind., also were higher in number in conventional plants than in organic plants. Plant bug was observed with few numbers in both plantations. Three natural enemies; coccinellid larvae, orius and insect parasites were found in rare numbers for organic and conventional plants throughout the study period. The population density, species diversity, and relative abundance of spiders were studied. Population of spiders was higher in conventional plantation (106 & 114 individ.) than in organic plantation (89 & 97 individ.) in two seasons, respectively, which may be due to the infestation with sucking insect pests that was more in conventional plants than in organic plants.