Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Optimal phenology and body-size of Orb-weaving spiders: Foraging constrains

  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Large orb-weaving spiders in temperate zones always mature in Autumn. A model based on laboratory feeding experiments and insect trap samples from an old-field in Michigan was used to simulate orb-weaver foraging behavior in various habitats and seasons. Seasons of peak energy return rates in habitats used by old-field orb-weavers indicate that prey availability plays a role in determining phenologies of large spiders. The minimum body-size to which the constraint applies in the model corresponds to the lower size-range of strictly Autumn-maturing orb-weaver species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson JF (1970) Metabolic rates of spiders. Comp Biochem Physiol 33:51–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Bristowe WS (1958) The World of Spiders. Collins London

    Google Scholar 

  • Cantrall IJ (1943) The ecology of the Orthoptera and Dermaptera of the George Reserve, Michigan. Misc Publ Mus Zool Univ of Mich No 54

  • Enders F (1975) The influence of hunting manner on prey size, particularly in spiders with long attack distances (Araneidae, Linyphiidae, and Salticidae). Am Nat 109 (970):737–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford MJ (1977) Energy costs of the predation strategy of a webspinning spider (Linyphiidae). Oecologia (Berl) 28(4):341–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Gertsch WJ (1949) American spiders. Van Nostrand New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Golley F (1961) Energy values of ecological materials. Ecology 42(3): 581–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Haynes DL, Sisojevic P (1966) Predatory behavior of Philodromus rufus Walckenaer (Araneae: Thomisidae). Can Entomol 98:113–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinrich B (1979) “Majoring” and “minoring” by foraging bumblebees, Bombus vagans: an experimental analysis. Ecology 60(2):245–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaston BJ (1948) Spiders of Connecticut. Conn State Geol Nat Hist Surv Bull 70:1–874

    Google Scholar 

  • Krebs JR, Ryan J, Charnov EL (1974) Hunting by expectation or optimal foraging? A study of patch use by chickadees. Anim Behav 22:953–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi HW (1968) The spider genera Gea and Argiope in America (Araneae: Araneidae). Bull Mus Comp Zool 136(9):319–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi HW (1970) The Diadematus group of the orb-weaver genus Araneus north of Mexico (Araneae: Araneida). Bull Mus Comp Zool 141(4):131–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi HW (1971) The orb-weaver genera Singa and Hysosinga. Psyche 78(4):229–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi HW (1973) Small orb-weavers of the genus Araneus north of Mexico (Araneae: Araneidae). Bull Mus Comp Zool 145(9):473–552

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi HW (1974) The orb-weaver genus Zygiella (Araneae: Araneidae). Bull Mus Comp Zool 146(5):167–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi HW (1974) The orb-weaver genera Araniella and Nuctanea (Araneae: Araneidae). Bull Mus Comp Zool 146(6):291–316

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi HW (1975) The American orb-weaver genera Larinia Cercidia, and Mangora north of Mexico (Araneae:Araneidae). Bull Mus Comp Zool 147 (3):101–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi HW (1976) The orb-weaver genera Verrucosa, Acanthepeira, Wagneriana, Acacesia, Wixia, Scoloderus, and Alpaida north of Mexico. Bull Mus Comp Zool 147(8):351–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi HW (1977) The American orb-weaver genera Cyclosa, Metazygia, and Eustala north of Mexico (Araneae:Araneidae). Bull Mus Comp Zool 148(3):61–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi HW (1977) The American orb-weaver genera Metepeira, Kaira, and Aculepeira north of Mexico (Araneae:Araneidae). Bull Mus Comp Zool 148(5):185–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi HW (1978) The American orb-weaver genera Colphepeira, Micrathena, and Gasteracantha north of Mexico. Bull Mus Comp Zool 148(9):417–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi HW, Berman JD (1971) The orbweaver genus Neoscona in North America (Araneae:Araneidae). Bull Mus Comp Zool 141(8):465–500

    Google Scholar 

  • Olive CW (1979) Foraging Specialization in Orb-Weaving Spiders. Ph.D. Thesis. Michigan State University: East Lansing, Michigan

    Google Scholar 

  • Olive CW (1980) Foraging Specializations in Orb-weaving Spiders. Ecology 61:1133–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoener TW (1971) Theory of Feeding Strategies. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 2:369–404

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoener TW (1969) Models of optimal size for solitary predators. Am Nat 103:277–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolbert WW (1976) Population dynamics of the orb-weaving spiders Argiope trifasciata and Argiope aurantia (Araneus: Araneidae): Density changes associated with mortality, natality, and migrations. Ph D Thesis Univ of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee

    Google Scholar 

  • Turnbull AL (1962) Quantitative studies of the food of Linyphia triangularis Clerck (Araneae: Linyphiidae). Can Entomol 92:1233–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner E Hall DJ (1974) Optimal foraging and the size selection of prey by the bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). Ecology 55:1042–52

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. C. W. Olive

    Present address: Zoology Department, University of California, 95616, Davis, California, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department, Michigan State Univesity, 48824, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    C. W. Olive

Authors
  1. C. W. Olive
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Olive, C.W. Optimal phenology and body-size of Orb-weaving spiders: Foraging constrains. Oecologia 49, 83–87 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00376902

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00376902

Keywords

Search

Navigation