Thieves and freeloaders: Argyrodine kleptoparasites invading cobwebs (Theridiidae) in the arid south-western USA.

ABSTRACT: Obligate argyrodine kleptoparasites (Theridiidae, Araneae) exploit heterospecific spider webs for food and shelter. Argyrodine spiders are a model lineage for the study of kleptoparasitism and related strategies, yet data on the behaviour of the majority of the over 250 argyrodine species is lacking. Here, we help fill that knowledge gap by documenting the natural history of two poorly-known species. We studied Argyrodes pluto and Neospintharus baboquivari in the webs of two other cobweb spiders, the western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus) and Tidarren sisyphoides, across four sites in southern Arizona. Argyrodes pluto completes its life cycle in L. hesperus webs and specialises on host egg sacs, displacing them to the periphery and feeding on e

SUBMITTER: Cowles J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12645204 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature