Effects of glufosinate‐ammonium herbicide and pod sealant on spider Pardosa agrestis

Abstract

Herbicides based upon glufosinate‐ammonium (GLA) are among the world's most widely used. They also are applied on the most prominent oil crops as desiccants in combination with pod sealants to prevent pod shatter and seed loss close to harvest. Even though these crops occupy a significant part of the world's agroecosystems, the effects of GLA herbicides on non‐target arthropods, and in particular natural enemies of pests, have been studied very rarely, and such effects of pod sealants have never been studied. We studied in our laboratory mortality as well as prey capture efficiency of the common GLA herbicide and desiccant Basta 15®, pod sealant Arrest®, and a mixture of both on the wolf spider Pardosa agrestis. We found that Basta 15® and the mixture had lethal effect on spiders. We also found significant, short‐term effect on predatory activity of spiders after all treatments. Basta 15® significantly influenced the amount of captured prey also in the long term. This is the first study showing lethal effect on spiders of the herbicide and herbicide plus pod sealant mixture. This is also the first study examining the effects of pod sealant on the mortality and predatory activity of a pest antagonist. More studies regarding the effects of agricultural chemical mixes are needed to uncover their effects on beneficial organisms existing within agroecosystems.

Management practices and incidence of pests in plantain (Musa paradisiaca AAB) crops. Consequences on the sustainability of the cropping systems

“…In a recent study, Lavelle et al (2022) showed that the worldwide abundance of soil macroinvertebrate communities drastically decreases in conventional cropping systems. In our study, the increase in macrofauna abundance within the ecological friendly cropping systems may be due to moderate levels of pesticides, herbicides and mineral fertilizer applications (Sánchez-Moreno et al, 2009;Niedobová et al 2019;Loranger-Merciris et al, 2022;Zulu et al 2022).…”

Lethal concentrations of glyphosate-based herbicide on nymphs of agroecosystem spider predator Phylloneta impressa L. Koch 1881

“…Godfrey and Rypstra (2018; showed, that different concentrations of the herbicide atrazine may significantly decrease the probability of egg-sac production of wolf spiders (Lycosidae) and may act as stressor for individuals. No changes were detected in predatory behaviour of lycosid spiders under exposure to the herbicide Roundup Biaktiv (Michalková and Pekár, 2009) or Roundup klasik Pro (Niedobová et al, 2019a). On the other side, solution of the glyphosate-based herbicide Glifoglex affected almost all aspects of life of orb-weaver spider Alpaida veniliae Keyserling 1865, from web building and fertility to prey consumption (Benamú et al, 2010).…”

Lethal and sublethal effects of five common herbicides on the wolf spider, Pardosa milvina (Araneae: Lycosidae)

“…These studies have measured locomotion (Wrinn et (Wrinn et al 2012). These studies varied widely in exposure method and duration including a single topical application with (Evans et al 2010) and without spider anaesthetization (Niedobová et al 2018, Hof et al 1995. Other exposure methods included brief contact with a recently sprayed paper surface (e.g.…”