الفهرس 
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Abstract
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and calendula (Calendula officinalis) are considered among the most important medicinal and aromatic plants in Egypt, especially in Fayoum Governorate, which is one of the highest productive areas for these plants. This study was carried out at Fayoum Governorate, during two successive growing seasons, 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, to compare the effects of organic and conventional plantation of chamomile and calendula on the occurrence, population density, seasonal fluctuation, relative abundance and species diversity of spiders, also some other arthropods were studied. Aphids, thrips and plant bugs were surveyed on chamomile plants by direct count, aphids (Aphis gossypii), was the major insect pest. Conventional plants hosted number of aphids more than organic plants in two seasons. Thrips (Thrips tabaci Lind.) also was higher in conventional plants than in organic plants. Plant bug was observed with few numbers in both plantations. Coccinellid larvae (Coccinella undecimpunctata), Orius sp. and insect parasites were found in rare numbers for organic and conventional plants throughout the study period. Leafminer, whitefly, aphids, thrips and mites were surveyed on calendula plants by direct count. Leafminer was the major pest, however inconsiderable difference was found between the number of leafminer on both cultivations. The obtained results showed that the population of whitefly and aphids in conventional cultivation was slightly more than in organic cultivation, while the population of thrips and mites was more in organic cultivation than conventional one. No predators were observed on calendula plants. Aerial (plant-dwelling) spiders on chamomile and calendula plants were collected by hand, population of spiders was higher in conventional plantation in two seasons. Calendula plants harbored higher spider population and more species than chamomile plants. The most dominant families of spiders in chamomile plants were Philodromidae, Salticidae and Linyphiidae, and the most dominant species were Thanatus albini, Cheiracanthium sp. and Phlegra flavipes. While in calendula plants, the most dominant families were Linyphiidae and Theridiidae, and the most dominant species were Linyphiid sp. and Kochiura sp.. Ground (soil-dwelling) spiders in chamomile and calendula fields were collected using pitfall traps, the total population of spiders collected from organic fields was more than the population collected from conventional. Lycosidae was the most dominant family with ratio of 55.6% of the whole population, and the most abundant species was, Wadicosa fideles representing 25.6% of all spiders collected throughout study period. Nine insect orders on chamomile plants, and 7 orders on calendula plants were surveyed by sweep net, the total number recorded on chamomile plants was significantly higher than the number recorded on calendula plants. Nine insect orders were collected from chamomile and calendula fields using pitfall traps, also Isopoda, soil mites and spiders were surveyed. The number of arthropods captured by pitfall traps from organic fields was higher than the arthropods captured from conventional ones. Furthermore, Collembola, ground beetles (Carabidae) and Isopoda were found with high numbers in organic cultivations than in conventional ones.
Key Words: Spiders (Araneae), Insect pests, Predators, Arthropods, Biodiversity, Organic farming, Conventional farming, Chamomile, Calendula