Life history of Tetragnatha praedonia (Araneae: Tetragnathidae)

Abstract

-The life history of a tetragnathid species, Tetragnatha praedonia was studied by both periodical field collectings and rearing spiders in the laboratory. Newly hatched spiderlings emerged repeatedly between June and September. Five spiders (two males and three females) were reared to adulthood. The developmental time from emergence to the adult molt was 57-59 days for males and 47-51 days for females. The repeated emergence of newly hatched spiderlings and the short life span suggest that T. praedonia has a turnover rate of a few generations per year.