Predatory Behavior of Argiope aurantia (Lucas)

Harwood, Robert H.

doi:10.2307/2424516

Cited by 33 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Large orb-weavers such as A. aurantia rely extensively on large orthopteran prey captured during the afternoon (Harwood, 1974), and these prey can quickly escape from the web. A study examining the escape rates of insects in webs demonstrated…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Temperature mediates the effect of humidity on the viscoelasticity of glycoprotein glue within the droplets of an orb-weaving spider's prey capture threads

Stellwagen

Opell

Short

2014

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Sticky viscous prey capture threads retain insects that strike araneoid orb-webs. The threads' two axial fibers support a series of glue droplets, each featuring a core of adhesive viscoelastic glycoprotein covered by an aqueous solution. After sticking, the glue extends, summing the adhesion of multiple droplets, and dissipates some of the energy of a struggling prey. As a day progresses, threads experience a drop in humidity and an increase in temperature, environmental variables that have the potential to alter thread and web function. We hypothesize that thread droplets respond to these opposing environmental changes in a manner that stabilizes their performance, and test this by examining threads spun by Argiope aurantia, a species that occupies exposed, weedy habitats. We confirmed that decreased humidity increases glycoprotein viscosity and found that increased temperature had the opposite effect. To evaluate the combined effect of temperature and humidity on a droplet's ability to transfer adhesive force and dissipate energy, we extended a droplet and measured both the deflection of the axial line supporting the droplet and the duration of its tensive load. The cumulative product of these two indices, which reflects the energy required to extend a droplet, was greatest under afternoon (hot and dry) conditions, less under morning (cool and humid) conditions, and least under hot and humid afternoon conditions. Although the opposing effects of temperature and humidity tend to stabilize glycoprotein performance, A. aurantia thread droplets appear to function optimally during the afternoon, equipping this species to capture large orthopterans, which are most active at this time.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2, 5-7 August). Although A. aurantia forage from morning to evening, the bulk of their prey is captured during the afternoon, when large orthopterans are the most active and likely to be captured (Harwood, 1974).…”

Section: Research Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature mediates the effect of humidity on the viscoelasticity of glycoprotein glue within the droplets of an orb-weaving spider's prey capture threads

Stellwagen

Opell

Short

2014

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…Many orb-web spiders exhibit different predatory behaviors in response to different insect prey (Robinson and Olazarri, 1971;Harwood, 1974). Heavily sclerotized weevils elicited extensive manipulation by M. lemniscata, probably because the spider was seeking a penetrable location in the cuticle, and frequent thanotaxis elicited pluck, shake, and palpate responses from the spiders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predatory Behavior of the Basilica Spider, Mecynogea Lemniscata (Araneae, Araneidae)

Willey

Johnson

Adler

1992

Psyche: A Journal of Entomology

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Females of Mecynogea lemniscata (Walckenaer) are generalist predators. Sixteen behavioral acts were described for M. lemniscata preying on house flies, carpenter ants, and Asiatic oak weevils in the field and laboratory. Behavioral sequences varied with prey type, but generally began with plucking and diverged thereafter. The predatory behavior of M. lemniscata is most similar to that of the higher araneids.

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“…Some organisms, like the orb-weaving spider Argiope aurantia Lucas 1833, remain exposed to full sunlight during the day throughout the late summer and early autumn (Harwood, 1974).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of UVB radiation on the glycoprotein glue of orb-weaving spider capture thread

Stellwagen

Opell

Clouse

2015

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Many spider orb-webs are exposed to sunlight and the potentially damaging effects of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. We examined the effect of UVB on the viscoelastic glycoprotein core of glue droplets deposited on the prey capture threads of these webs, hypothesizing that webs built by species that occupy sunny habitats are less susceptible to UVB damage than are webs built by species that prefer shaded forest habitats or by nocturnal species. Threads were tested shortly after being collected in the early morning and after being exposed to UVB energy equivalent to a day of summer sun and three times this amount. Droplets kept in a dark chamber allowed us to evaluate post-production changes. Droplet volume was unaffected by treatments, indicating that UVB did not damage the hygroscopic compounds in the aqueous layer that covers droplets. UVB exposure did not affect energies of droplet extension for species from exposed and partially to mostly shaded habitats (Argiope aurantia, Leucauge venusta and Verrucosa arenata). However, UVB exposure reduced the energy of droplet extension in Micrathena gracilis from shaded forests and Neoscona crucifera, which forages at night. Only in L. venusta did the energy of droplet extension increase after the dark treatment, suggesting endogenous molecular alignment. This study adds UVB irradiation to the list of factors (humidity, temperature and strain rate) known to affect the performance of spider glycoprotein glue, factors that must be more fully understood if adhesives that mimic spider glycoprotein glue are to be produced.

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Predatory Behavior of Argiope aurantia (Lucas)

Cited by 33 publications

References 11 publications

Temperature mediates the effect of humidity on the viscoelasticity of glycoprotein glue within the droplets of an orb-weaving spider's prey capture threads

Temperature mediates the effect of humidity on the viscoelasticity of glycoprotein glue within the droplets of an orb-weaving spider's prey capture threads

Predatory Behavior of the Basilica Spider, Mecynogea Lemniscata (Araneae, Araneidae)

The impact of UVB radiation on the glycoprotein glue of orb-weaving spider capture thread

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