Some Factors Influencing the Orientation of the Spider, Frontinella communis (Hentz.), in its Web (Araneae: Linyphiidae)

Abstract

AbstractThe orientation of mature, female Frontinella communis (Hentz.) on horizontal sheet webs was recorded in the field. Spiders fully exposed to direct solar radiation oriented independently of the sun at ambient air temperatures from 18 to 27 °C., but at higher temperatures, corresponding to web temperatures from 30 to 37 °C., they oriented toward the sun's disk in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The orientation of spiders in shade was independent of the sun's azimuth over the entire range of air temperatures experienced (18 to 34 °C). During light to moderate rainfall spiders oriented in the direction of the prevailing wind and the vertical displacement of the body axis from the typically horizontal position varied directly with rainfall intensity.