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

Marianne B. Willey; Margaret A. Johnson; Peter H. Adler

doi:10.1155/1992/35716

Psyche: A Journal of Entomology (Jan 1992)

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

Marianne B. Willey,
Margaret A. Johnson,
Peter H. Adler

Affiliations

Marianne B. Willey: Department of Entomology, 114 Long Hall, Clemson University, Clemson 29634, South Carolina, USA
Margaret A. Johnson: Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32604, Florida, USA
Peter H. Adler: Department of Entomology, 114 Long Hall, Clemson University, Clemson 29634, South Carolina, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/1992/35716
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 99, no. 2-3
pp. 153 – 168

Abstract

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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 there-after. The predatory behavior of M. lemniscata is most similar to that of the higher araneids.

Published in Psyche: A Journal of Entomology

ISSN: 0033-2615 (Print); 1687-7438 (Online)
Publisher: Wiley
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Zoology
Website: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/6152

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