Spider behavior

Kayleigh · #1 (**permalink**) 19-05-2011, 07:51 PM

I saw two spiders one was like boxing I think this is a male and was displaying some sort of mating behaviour..
Is this right or were they fighting they would go for each other then back off here they are..

I think this is the female..

Cheers Elaine

robin28 · #2 (**permalink**) 19-05-2011, 08:44 PM

Hello Kayleigh

Yes, this looks like courtship. These are wolf spiders, family Lycosidae. The male needs to make sure he is not treated as dinner.

The female has simple palps between the front legs. The male palps are enlarged and complex with bulbs at the end containing sperm. Imagine him wearing a testicle on the end of each arm like boxing gloves with a penis on each one.

Later on you will see the females carrying their egg sacs attached to the spinners.

Later still the eggs will hatch and the young will ride on her back for a week or so before they disperse.

Robin

Kayleigh · #3 (**permalink**) 19-05-2011, 08:49 PM

Wow, thanks for the info its fascinating I have seen them for about a week if its the same pair..
I will keep a lookout for the female and egg sack hope I manage to get some shots..

robin28 · #4 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 08:34 AM

I know in my garden it would be very hard to be sure I was seeing the same pair or individual from one minute to the next. There is a patch under a rose bush where I often see two or three, up to ten at the same time. Wherever I have seen them, they seem to live in groups.

The four large eyes on the top of the carapace are anti-bird defence; it is easy for them to step behind a leaf when they detect motion. The main (hunting) eyes are much smaller, lower down at the front.

Robin

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robin28

I know in my garden it would be very hard to be sure I was seeing the same pair or individual from one minute to the next. There is a patch under a rose bush where I often see two or three, up to ten at the same time. Wherever I have seen them, they seem to live in groups.

The four large eyes on the top of the carapace are anti-bird defence; it is easy for them to step behind a leaf when they detect motion. The main (hunting) eyes are much smaller, lower down at the front.

Robin

I have seen two others in roughly the same place so will keep a lookout for more thanks for the info they are lovely I could sit for hours just watching them.