Environ. Horticulture, Pears, Cherries, and Viticulture
University of California
Environ. Horticulture, Pears, Cherries, and Viticulture

Spiders, Spiders Everywhere

Here's one that I've never seen before.  True spiders with webbing so heavy that it could interfere with the growing point of raspberry.

On approaching the field, once notices a lot of the very top of many raspberry plants in this field under tunnels with those leaves rolled up.  Of course this sets off alarm bells that it could be LBAM, but closer inspection reveals a far heavier webbing than is customary for a leafroller.  And... lots and lots of spiders.

What would the call be to do about this?  Hard to say, readers if you have experience and/or suggestions what to do, write in and I'll post your answer.

Pics taken today of the situation posted below.

Problem seen from afar - growing point curled into a ball.
Problem seen from afar - growing point curled into a ball.

Copious amounts of webbing.
Copious amounts of webbing.

Excessive webbing unfurling from plant.
Excessive webbing unfurling from plant.

Webbing in association with spiders - one on the top of the leaf, a bigger one under.
Webbing in association with spiders - one on the top of the leaf, a bigger one under.

Spider close up - anybody know the species?
Spider close up - anybody know the species?

Posted on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 4:26 PM
Tags: raspberry (24), spiders (1), webbing (1)

Comments:

1.
This is just a thought, but it seems unlikely that there's a large population of spiders without a large population of prey. The spiders certainly aren't feeding on raspberries. It might be worth investigating what the spiders are eating.

Posted by William Tyler on April 28, 2016 at 4:01 PM

2.
Good point, I looked pretty hard and didn't see anything. Whatever it was, it's gone because the spiders have pretty well cleared out now too.  
Really appreciate your input William, this was a headscratcher for sure and probably something we won't see again for a while.

Posted by Mark Bolda on April 29, 2016 at 4:47 PM

Leave a Reply

You are currently not signed in. If you have an account, then sign in now! Anonymously contributed messages may be delayed.




Security Code:
EEUSGK
:

Read more

 
E-mail
 
Webmaster Email: cesacramento@ucdavis.edu