The Green Lynx Spider, Peucetia Viridans (Hentz)

In Florida the green lynx spider, Peucetia viridans (Hentz) (fig. 1), is the spider most often received for identification by Division of Plant Industry entomologists. It is a conspicuous, large, bright green spider found on many kinds of shrublike plants throughout the southern United States and is the largest North American lynx spider. Although it is common throughout Florida and aggressively attacks its insect prey, it very seldom bites humans. While its bite is of little concern to humans, the green lynx spider is of interest because of its potential use in agricultural pest management. Judging from their local abundance, the lynx spiders are among the major predators of insects occurring in low shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. Few detailed observations have been made on the feeding habits of lynx spiders, but investigations by W. H. Whitcomb et al. (1963) have disclosed that the lynx spiders are important predators of crop-damaging insects. Oxyopes salticus Hentz, another lynx spider and 1 of the most common spiders in Arkansas cotton fields, has been reported by Whitcomb et al. (1963) as the”chief predator of the bollworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie). Peucetia viridans is also an important predator of insect pests of cotton fields. In the field, green lynx spiders have been observed feeding on many species of moths of the families Noctuidae, Geometridae, and Pyralidae, including some of the most important crop pests. Whitcomb et al. (1963) reported these spiders feeding on bollworm moths, Heliothis zea (Boddie); cotton leafworm moths, Alabama agrillacea (Hübner); and cabbage looper moths, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner). They also capture larvae of these species. However, their usefulness in the control of insect pests is counteracted by their willingness to prey also upon beneficial insects. These spiders seize large numbers of honey bees, Apis mellifera Linnaeus, and sphecid and vespid wasps. Whitcomb et al. (19 3) reported that members of the vespid genus Polistes which, themselves, are important predators on crop pests, are especially favored as prey by lynx spiders. Similarly, several species of Diptera, including syrphid flies (pollinators) and large tachinid flies (beneficial parasites), also are seized. Thus the possible use of lynx spiders in the control of crop pests will depend in a large part on when, where, on what crops, and for the control of what pests they are to be used. Their use in Florida in the control of pests of such crops as soybeans and peanuts may be feasible. Their potential in this regard appears to warrant thorough investigation.