Response to web destruction in aggregated and solitary Nephila clavipes spiders

Abstract. The costs and benefits associated with colonial spiders are an important part in understanding why this behavior occurs in stationary predators. In order to better understand what pressures were most important in determining whether the spiders chose to live within a colony or as solitary individuals, I manipulated the frequency of web destruction in colonial and solitary populations of Nephila clavipes at two sites at La Selva Research Station. I also monitored the presence and number of non-host web occupants, in relation to web destruction. I found that both non-host web occupant levels and aggregation levels decreased in response to web destruction. This suggests that frequent web destruction diminishes the benefits of aggregation to the point where it is no longer a successful strategy. I was not able to determine whether the non-host web occupant levels decreased as a result of web destruction or decreased aggregation.