The Search for Prey by a Web-building Spider Achaearanea tepidariorum (C. L. Koch) (Araneae, Theridiidae)

Experiments show that A . tepidariorum selects sites for web building by a series of movements that are random with respect to the distribution of its prey. If selected sites fail to yield an adequate supply of prey they are quickly abandoned. If adequate supplies of food are forthcoming at a site, random movements cease and the site is systematically searched by filling the area with web. Light plays no part in the selection of web sites, but other extrinsic features, for example air currents, play an important role.