Diel rhythm in locomotor activity and antipredator behavior in three species of orb-weaving spiders (Araneae: Araneidae)

Ecologically, spiders are both predators and prey.  Therefore they must balance being aggressive enough to successfully forage, but not so bold that they become overly exposed to predation.  Some species of spiders have clearly defined periods of the day when they actively forage, leading to the hypothesis that they should be less bold (or more fearful) during periods when the spiders are not foraging.  Thus, we predict that antipredator behavior should be more pronounced during inactive foraging times.  We will present data on locomotor activity and the antipredator ‘huddle response’ in three orb-weaving spiders Micrathena mitrata, M. gracilis, and Verrucosa arenata.  Our results will be considered with respect to the foraging/ predation ecology of each species.