Body-mass-dependent cost of web-building behavior in an orb weaving spider, Zygiella x-notata

Abstract

In numerous spider species, reproductive success of adult females has been shown to be positively correlated with their body mass. We suggest, however, that spiders may incur greater foraging costs as their body mass increases due to the numerous and complex locomotor bouts needed to build an orb-web. Such a body-mass-dependent cost should, in turn, affect the web-building decisions of spiders. In the laboratory, we tested the influence of body mass on energetic expenditure (measured as mass loss) during web-building behavior in Zygiella x-notata. Our results showed (1) that energetic costs associated with web-building were closely related to body mass and to web-building activity, and (2) that as their body mass increased, spiders reduced the amount of silk used per web, while their foraging effort simultaneously increased. This work gives new insights into web-building behavior and energy allocation strategies of weaving spiders.

Invasive plant architecture alters trophic interactions by changing predator abundance and behavior

“…Individual spiders can modify web attributes as a behavioral response to variation in predation threats, prey availability, microclimatic conditions, and changing resource demands (Higgins 1990(Higgins , 1992Henschel and Lubin 1992;Heiling 1999;Venner et al 2003). Thus, although changes in web size generally reflect foraging effort (Sherman 1994;Watanabe 2001;Venner and Casas 2005), Dictyna web size could differ among substrates for other reasons.…”

Competitive interactions between a native spider (Frontinella communis, Araneae: Linyphiidae) and an invasive spider (Linyphia triangularis, Araneae: Linyphiidae)

“…However, the costs of web loss have been well documented in other species (reviewed in Venner et al 2003). Webs serve as an extension of the sensory world of the spider and are necessary for detecting and trapping prey.…”

“…Losing webs to competitors is likely to have fitness consequences, as webs are necessary for prey capture and are energetically costly to produce (e.g., Jakob 1991;Pasquet et al 1999;Herberstein et al 2000;Venner et al 2003Venner et al , 2006. In the most extreme instances, web takeovers also result in the usurper preying upon the host spider (Toft 1988;Perkins et al 2007).…”

Effect of energetic cost to maintain the trap for Myrmeleon brasiliensis (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae) in its development and adult size

“…Studies with spiders have shown that the energy cost due to constant rebuilding of trap might affect aspects of their lifestyle, such as mortality (e.g. Venner et al, 2000Venner et al, , 2003. Lubin et al (1993) observed a 40% increase in mortality when spiders needed to move to rebuild its traps.…”