Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


akron1176135528.pdf (904.89 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

DOES PLASTICITY IN THE WEB BUILDING BEHAVIOR OF THE WESTERN BLACK WIDOW SPIDER, LATRODECTUS HESPERUS, AFFECT FORAGING AND DEFENSE?

Zevenbergen, Jacquelyn M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1176135528

Abstract Details

2007, Master of Science, University of Akron, Biology.
The black widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus, constructs a three-dimensional cobweb that contains a tangled sheet held in place by supporting silk threads, and uses sticky gumfooted threads, instead of sticky spirals, to adhere to prey. Both the size of the sheet and the number of gumfooted threads may facilitate prey capture, while the supporting silk threads may enhance predator defense by surrounding the spider with silk barriers. We found that fasted L. hesperus constructed webs with more capture than support components compared to fed spiders, even though fed spiders typically invest more silk overall in webs. We hypothesize that fasted spiders spin webs with architectures that function better at prey capture while webs spun by fed spiders function better at defense. To test the foraging efficacy of the two types of webs, we allowed spiders to forage on crickets for three hours, videotaping them to record both successful and unsuccessful attempts to capture prey. We also attempted to compare the ability of the webs to protect spiders from predatory mud-dauber wasps, Chalybion caeruleum and Sceliphron caementarium. To eliminate spider motivation as a confounding factor, half of the individuals were placed on webs spun by spiders of the opposite foraging history. Our results show that, regardless of foraging motivation, spiders were 28% more likely to capture prey, and caught twice as many crickets, when foraging on webs spun by fasted spiders versus fed spiders. We were unable to collect enough data to test the anti-predation efficacy of the two different types of webs; however we never observed S. caementarium entering any cobweb during two months of observation. In contrast, we observed C. caeruleum entering theridiid webs and displaying prey mimic behavior on multiple occasions. Therefore, we conclude that hungry spiders invest their silk in the components of webs that best increase foraging success – while fed spiders increase their investment of silk in the non-foraging components that may protect them from predation.
Todd Blackledge (Advisor)
Behavioral Plasticity; Trade-offs; Black widow; Latrodectus; Muddauber wasps

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zevenbergen, J. M. (2007). DOES PLASTICITY IN THE WEB BUILDING BEHAVIOR OF THE WESTERN BLACK WIDOW SPIDER, LATRODECTUS HESPERUS, AFFECT FORAGING AND DEFENSE? [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1176135528

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zevenbergen, Jacquelyn. DOES PLASTICITY IN THE WEB BUILDING BEHAVIOR OF THE WESTERN BLACK WIDOW SPIDER, LATRODECTUS HESPERUS, AFFECT FORAGING AND DEFENSE? 2007. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1176135528.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zevenbergen, Jacquelyn. "DOES PLASTICITY IN THE WEB BUILDING BEHAVIOR OF THE WESTERN BLACK WIDOW SPIDER, LATRODECTUS HESPERUS, AFFECT FORAGING AND DEFENSE?" Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1176135528

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1176135528
1,007
© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.