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

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 a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Marianne B. Willey, Margaret A. Johnson, Peter H. Adler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 1992-01-01
Series:Psyche: A Journal of Entomology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/1992/35716
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0033-2615
1687-7438