Function of bright coloration in the wasp spider Argiope bruennichi (Araneae: Araneidae)

Abstract

There are two major competing explanations for the counter-intuitive presence of bright coloration in certain orb-web spiders. Bright coloration could lure insect prey to the web vicinity, increasing the spider's foraging success. Alternatively, the markings could function as disruptive camouflage, making it difficult for the insect prey to distinguish spiders from background colour variation. We measured the prey capture rates of wasp spiders, Argiope bruennichi, that were blacked out, shielded from view using a leaf fragment, or left naturally coloured. Naturally coloured spiders caught over twice the number of prey as did either blacked-out or leaf-shielded spiders, and almost three times as many orthopteran prey. Spectrophotometer measurements suggest that the bright yellow bands on the spider's abdomen are visible to insect prey, but not the banding on the legs, which could disguise the spider's outline. Thus, our results provide strong support for the hypothesis that bright coloration in the wasp spider acts as a visual lure for insect prey and weak support for the hypothesis that the arrangement of the banding pattern across the spider's body disguises the presence of the spider on the web.

Predator crypsis enhances behaviourally mediated indirect effects on plants by altering bumblebee foraging preferences

“…Lately, there has been increased interest in the potential impacts of predators on pollination services and plant fitness (Suttle 2003 (Heiling et al 2006;Bush et al 2008), to lure their prey. Crab spiders (Thomisidae), which are sit-and-wait predators that ambush pollinators on flowers, are perhaps the best studied of these predators (Dukas & Morse 2003;Reader et al 2006;Gonçalves-Souza et al 2008).…”

Insect form vision as one potential shaping force of spider web decoration design

“…However, although Argiope spiders with linear decorations may have lower foraging success, this could be buffered by the attractive properties of their bright body coloration. Recent studies showed that bright coloration of various taxa of orb-web spiders, including Argiope, in itself is attractive to insects (Craig and Ebert, 1994;Hauber, 2002;Tso et al, 2002;Tso et al, 2004;Tso et al, 2006;Cheng and Tso, 2007;Bush et al, 2008). We suggest that the evolution of spider web decorations was shaped by a complex array of interacted selection pressures (such as foraging performance vs predation pressure) and might have co-evolved with other traits (such as body coloration).…”

Visualization of the spatial and spectral signals of orb-weaving spiders, Nephila pilipes, through the eyes of a honeybee

“…Similarly, the colorful orbweaving spiders (Nephila pilipes) in Taiwan also have been reported to catch significantly more prey than its melanic conspecific (Tso et al, 2002;Tso et al, 2004). In addition, several diurnal as well as nocturnal species of spiders have been demonstrated to significantly reduce their foraging success if their color markings were experimentally altered (Bush et al, 2008;Chuang et al, 2007;Chuang et al, 2008;Hauber, 2002;Tso et al, 2007;Tso et al, 2002;Tso et al, 2006). All this evidence indicates that the conspicuous body coloration in spiders is to lure their prey (see Vanderhoff et al, 2008).…”

“…However, recent behavioral experiments in orbweaving spiders (N. pilipes), orchid spiders (Leucauge magnifica), nocturnal orb spiders (Neoscona punctigera) and wasp spiders (Argiope bruennichi) showed that the prey capture rate was significantly lower if the color markings were blocked or if the spider was removed from the web (Bush et al, 2008;Chuang et al, 2007;Chuang et al, 2008;Tso et al, 2006). Thus, it is most likely that the bright body colorations of these spiders function as visual lures to attract insects, although some opposite evidences exist (Hoese et al, 2006;Václav and Prokop, 2006).…”