Biological and Behavioral Notes on Gasteracantha cancriformis (Arachnida: Araneidae)

Observations and experiments on the common, citrus grove-inhabiting, spiny-bellied orb-weaver, Gasteracantha cancriformis (L.), have demonstrated that the spider completes a life cycle in 1 year, maturing in the late fall and early winter. The characteristic webs vary in size and position and are reconstructed daily. Prey includes whiteflies, flies, moths and beetles. The tiny males accomplish sperm induction just prior to the 1 hour courtship and copulation. The ovate green-striped egg cases are constructed and filled in 1 to 2 hours. Eggs incubate in less than 2 weeks, deutova and first instar spiderlings hatch and molt within the case. Spiderlings do not disperse for 2 to 5 weeks.