All about potatoes.pdf - Vegetableipmasia.org

8.
MAJOR NATURAL ENEMIES OF POTATO PESTS
8.1.4 Spider
Spiders have great potential as predators on potato crops. Apart
from their many species, spiders also proliferate over large
areas. Commonly found spiders on potato crops are hunting
spiders, wolf spiders, jumping spiders, orb web spiders and longjawed
spiders. Some spin webs to trap their prey, while others
pursue their victims. Some spiders live on potato plants, and
others live on the surface soil.
Both pre-adult and adult spiders are predatory. Spiders prey on
either flying or crawling insect species that move around actively.
Their predatory capacity depends on the spider species and type
these could be butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, crickets, flies,
etc.
8.1.5 Praying mantis
Praying mantises are rarely found on potato crops. These predators not only prey on
pests, but also on other predatory insects or parasitoids. They prey on flies, bees,
butterflies and small spiders.
Pre-adult and adult praying mantises are predatory. They use
their strong front legs to capture their prey. These predators do
not actively pursue their prey, but wait and catch those insects
that come too close. Because of their wide range of prey,
these predators are not so important in regulating numbers of
insect pests on potato crops.
8.1.6 Earwig
Earwigs move around actively on the surface of the soil. They have a
pair of pincers at the back of their abdomens. These predators vary
greatly in color and size. They are regularly found in dry regions, hunt at
night and hide in the soil during the day. Adult insects can live for three
to five months. These predators prey on aphids, thrips and several kinds
of insect larvae.
8.1.7 Predatory fly
Predatory flies (or killer flies) look similar to houseflies but are smaller in size at
around 0.4 - 0.6 cm in length. They are black with abdomens that narrow towards the
end and prey on aphids, thrips, leafminer flies, etc.
Predatory flies (e.g., Coenosa spp.) are often found preying on other insects in
potato fields. Adult flies actively hunt their prey, which may be in the air or settled on
plants. They grasp their prey with their two front legs, and then suck out their juices
until their victims die. Before striking, these flies
usually wait on stakes or the higher parts of plants to
spot their prey. They can prey on between 5-10
insects a day. Their larvae develop well in soils rich in
organic matter.
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ALL ABOUT POTATOES