Aerial Dispersal of Spiders (Araneae) in a Florida Cornfield Ecosystem

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Abstract
Ballooning spiders were monitored over Florida cornfield ecosystems using sticky wire traps. A total of 1,805 spiders, representing 15 families and at least 53 species, consisted mostly of juveniles, but adults of 25 species were also captured. Analysis of the seasonal phenology revealed five dispersal/life history strategies, the most important being widely overlapping generations and several instars ballooning throughout the year; spiders using this strategy are major components of crop field spider communities of the southeastern United States. Capture of 25 species of adult males on the traps suggested that ballooning is also a means for some species to search for females. The long legs and setae of many of the male spiders, as well as other frequent ballooners, may aid them in gaining aerial lift.

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