Archaeodictyna ulova, new species (Araneae, Dictynidae) : a remarkable kleptoparasite of group-living eresid spiders (Stegodyphus spp., Araneae, Eresidae). American Museum novitates ; no. 2897

Abstract

"A new species of Dictynidae, Archaeodictyna ulova, was found living in the communal retreats of two species of group-living eresid spiders, Stegodyphus mimosarum Pavesi and Stegodyphus dumicola Pocock, in Natal and the eastern Transvaal regions of South Africa. A species description and diagnosis are given, with observations of behavior in the field and laboratory. The dictynid lays its egg sacs throughout the eresid retreats, lives as an inquiline in the nest interior, and feeds communally with the eresids on prey items which the eresids catch. A. ulova was never found living independently or with spiders other than the two eresids, and did not remain in nests which were abandoned by the eresid hosts. Ratios of A. ulova to eresids in nests were variable, but reached as high as 0.22. Scelionid wasps parasitized eggs of A. ulova within the eresid nests"--P. [1].