Life History of the Funnel-web Spider Agelena limbata: Web Site, Growth, and Reproduction

Abstract

The life history of the funnel-web spider Agelena limbata was studied in Nagoya located in the central region of Japan. Agelena limbata has 1-year life cycle. Instar 1 nymphs emerged from egg sacs in late March to early April and underwent six molts to adults. Males and females matured synchronously and reproduced mid to late August. Most webs were constructed on the evergreen trees which were densely covered with small hard leaves, e.g. Eurya japonica, Ligustrum japonicum, and Buxus microphylla. Fertility was positively correlated with female body size, especially body weight before oviposition. Body size and fertility were compared between two habitats, an open area and a woody field. Body size of adults and fertility were significantly smaller in the open habitat than in the woody habitat. Limited prey availability in the open habitat certainly caused the observed smaller adult size and fertility.