Some factors affecting feeding behaviour in youngTrite auricomaspiderlings (Araneae: Salticidae)

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Abstract
Trite auricoma spiderlings have less than a 50:50 chance of surviving more than 10 days after emergence. Possible causes of this high mortality rate are considered in relation to factors which may contribute to the development of successful hunting behaviour. There is considerable individual variability in temporal patterns of hunting activity and in the number of prey items consumed during the 2nd instar. The duration of this instar shows a significant negative correlation with food intake in the first 11 days, indicating that the timing of prey consumption influences the onset of ecdysis. Feeding behaviour is inhibited for a period of 12.4±3.3 jdays during ecdysis; the length of this period is correlated with instar duration. Prey density greater than one item per visual field is detrimental to the development of successful hunting behaviour. Highly active prey inhibits performance of hunting sequences, thus reducing the probability of success.