Copulation duration in the spiderPhilodromus vulgaris (Hentz) (Araneae: Philodromidae) and its influence on the evolution of host transfer behavior during cannibalism byMantispa uhleri banks (Neuroptera: Mantispidae)

Abstract

Matings and acts of cannibalism were observed in the crab spiderPhilodromus vulgaris, some of which were carrying a first-instar larva of the mantispidMantispa uhleri. Larval mantispids did not transfer during the copulation of their spider hosts but did switch from spider to spider during cannibalism. Twenty-three of 27 total cannibalisms in which the cannibalized spider carried a larva resulted in larval transfers, for a transfer rate of 85%. Copulation times inP. vulgaris were found to be extremely short in comparison to lycosids such asSchizocosa ocreata, whose long copulation time supports the larval transfer ofClimaciella brunnea. The time required for larval transfer during cannibalism inP. vulgaris was measured. Cannibalisms were much longer than copulations but larvae transferred to the cannibalizing spider in a comparatively short period of time.