UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Peanuts (groundnuts) are a valuable legume crop that enhances soil fertility and supports various industries but faces significant pest threats that reduce yield and quality. This study evaluates spider species diversity and composition in groundnut agroecosystem across Akole, Sangamner and Parner Tehsils in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra. As generalist predators, spiders help control pest populations, supporting ecosystem health and sustainable agriculture. The findings aim to highlight the role of spiders in pest management and their contribution to agricultural practices. The analysis highlights the significant variation in spider genus composition, In Akole, the dominant spider families were Lycosidae ˃ Oxyopidae > Salticidae > Araneidae > Dysderidae > Thomisidae, while in Parner, it was Araneidae > Lycosidae > Salticidae > Corinnidae > Oxyopidae > Theridiidae. In Sangamner, the order was Lycosidae > Salticidae > Oxyopidae > Araneidae >Theridiidae > Dysderidae, highlighting regional variations in spider family distribution. The data revealed a vast range of spider genera. 522 spiders belonging to 21 genera under 12 families, with Pardosa (108 individuals), Oxyopes (69 individuals) and Larinia (57 individuals) being the most prominent. Notably, rare genera like Myrmarachne (9 individuals) and Bianor (9 individuals) appeared sporadically, contributing minimally to the overall population. These findings underscore the role of spiders as important biological control agents in the agro-ecosystem, with regional differences in genus abundance reflecting the influence of local climatic and agricultural conditions. This research highlights the significance of spider diversity in maintaining ecological balance and pest regulation in groundnut farming environments.