Modification ofNephila clavipes(Araneae Nephilidae) webs induced by the parasitoidsHymenoepimecis bicolorandH. robertsae(Hymenoptera Ichneumonidae)

Unravelling the biodiversity of nanoscale signatures of spider silk fibres

“…These results are in agreement with those of other studies and show that variations in the spider silk fibre properties (for example, strength or toughness) fall within a wide order of magnitude within and across species 7,[25][26] . This intriguing phenotypic plasticity of silks has been associated with a spider's weight 27 , spinning conditions 28 , prey type 29 , environment 30 , parasitoids 31 and age 32 rather than any phylogenetic attribute.…”

Host manipulation by an ichneumonid spider ectoparasitoid that takes advantage of preprogrammed web-building behaviour for its cocoon protection

“…Amongst the Polysphincta genus-group (informally, polysphinctines; Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), which are exclusively koinobiont spider ectoparasitoids, some members are well known to manipulate their host spiders to modify web construction (Eberhard, 2000(Eberhard, , 2001(Eberhard, , 2010a(Eberhard, ,b, 2013Gonzaga and Sobczak, 2011;Gonzaga et al, 2010;Korenko et al, 2014;Korenko and Pekár, 2011;Matsumoto, 2009;Matsumoto and Konishi, 2007;Sobczak et al, 2009). Prior to killing the host spider, the parasitoid larva ( penultimate instar) manipulates the host to build a specific and durable 'cocoon web' (sensu Eberhard, 2000), seemingly enhancing survival of parasitoid pupae, which depends on the host web's persistence against the elements or enemies.…”

“…If a close relationship exists between a resting web and cocoon web, manipulated host behavioural processes will offer a clue to the web manipulation mechanism. Although there are several examples suggesting that parasitoid larvae trigger resting web construction (Eberhard, 2010b(Eberhard, , 2013Gonzaga et al, 2010), it is unclear whether the parasitoid larvae actually utilize the resting web-building behaviour, or if its resemblance is just a false impression from a shared simplicity of web structure. Solid evidence remains to be discovered.…”

Parasitism on Araneus venatrix (Koch, 1838) (Araneae: Araneidae) by Hymenoepimecis silvanae Loffredo and Penteado-Dias, 2009 (Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae) with description of male of the wasp

“…The species are characterised by the presence of a pocket-like structure on the pronotum, mesopleuron with carina epicnemial vestigial or absent, absence of the vein 3 rs-m in fore wing (Gauld, 1991), colour yellowish brown and large ocelli (Gauld and Dubois, 2006). All known species are koinobiont parasitoids of adult spiders of the family Nephilidae, Tetragnathidae and Araneidae (Fincke et al, 1990;Eberhard, 2000;Gauld, 2000;Gonzaga and Sobczak, 2007;Gonzaga et al, 2010). Despite this wide geographical distribution, little is known on host identities.…”

“…Record of host uses are available for eight species: Hymenoepimecis bicolor (Brulle, 1846) attacks immature females and males of Nephila clavipes (Linnaeus, 1767) (Nephilidae) (Gonzaga et al, 2010); Hymenoepimecis sooretama ) entered the three-dimensional structure of the web and attacks Manogea porracea (C.L. Koch, 1838) (Araneidae) ; Hymenoepimecis veranii Loffredo and Penteado-Dias, 2009, parasitoid of Araneus omnicolor (Keyserling, 1893) (Araneidae) Sobczak 2007, Sobczak et al, 2011); Hymenoepimecis robertsae Gauld 1991, attacks females of N. clavipes in Panamá (Fincke et al, 1990) and Costa Rica (Gonzaga et al, 2010); Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga, Gauld 2000, a parasitoid of Leucauge argyra (Walckenaer, 1842) (Tetragnathidae) in Costa Rica (Eberhard 2000). Hymenoepimecis japi ) changes the behaviour of web building in the spider Leucauge roseosignata Mello-leitão, 1943 (Tetragnathidae).…”