The selective prey of linyphiid-like spiders and of their space webs

Abstract

1769 prey animals were collected from the space webs of linyphiid-like spiders, i.e. actual prey, and were compared with more than 110,000 animals from nearby pitfall traps and colored traps (yellow), i.e. potential prey, by means of the Ivlev Index. The catch found in the webs proved to be very selective: certain groups were found in unexpectedly great numbers (especially phytophages insects) while others had nearly always managed to avoid the web (especially predators and pollinating insects). The spider had conducted a further selection in that it consumed only certain animals. The parameters which decide the frequency of capture and of consumption are as follows: flying ability, sense of direction, body type, size, weight and abundance.