Edge effects and pitfall trap design influence spider diversity and assemblages in canola agroecosystems on the Canadian Prairies

Spiders (Araneae) are generalist predators in agroecosystems and may contribute to biological control in canola (Brassica napus L. and B. rapa L.). However, their diversity and community structure remain understudied in the Canadian Prairies. To address this knowledge gap, we surveyed spider assemblages in the Aspen Parkland region of Alberta, Canada, using pitfall traps placed at field edges and interiors during the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. In 2023, we tested pitfall trap modifications to improve spider retention, evaluating: 1) trap diameter, 2) preservative substrate (glass beads vs. propylene glycol), and 3) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Fluon, a non-stick fluoropolymer) coated trap interiors (to reduce friction and prevent escape). This was tested across canola habitats adjacent to grass- or tree-dominated non-crop habitat edges. The uploaded dataset contains all spider identifications from 2021 to 2023.

蜘蛛（Araneae）是农田生态系统中的广食性捕食者，可在油菜（甘蓝型油菜Brassica napus L.和白菜型油菜Brassica rapa L.）田中发挥生物防治功能。然而，加拿大草原地区对其多样性及群落结构的研究仍相对不足。为填补这一知识空白，本研究于2021和2022年作物生长季，在加拿大阿尔伯塔省的杨树草原区（Aspen Parkland），通过设置于田块边缘与内部的陷阱诱捕器（pitfall trap）调查蜘蛛群落组成。2023年，我们针对陷阱诱捕器的改良方案开展试验以提升蜘蛛留存率，评估的变量包括：1）诱捕器口径；2）保存基质（玻璃珠与丙二醇对比组）；3）诱捕器内壁涂覆聚四氟乙烯（polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE；商品名Fluon，一种不粘含氟聚合物）以降低摩擦力、防止蜘蛛逃逸。该试验在毗邻草本或木本主导型非农田生境边缘的油菜生境中开展。本上传数据集涵盖2021至2023年所有蜘蛛的物种鉴定结果。