Overlooked instances of earthworm predation by spiders in temperate Asia

Abstract

This study documents instances of spider predation on earthworms in Japan, an overlooked predator–prey interaction in temperate Asia. Based on a literature review, field observations, and social media outreach, we identified twelve cases involving eight spider families, primarily ground-dwelling and cursorial species. These findings expand the known geographic scope of earthworm predation by spiders to Asia, and underscore the need for further surveys in other temperate regions to better understand this understudied aspect of spider foraging ecology.