Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2013

DOI

10.1656/045.020.0307

Publication Title

Northeastern Naturalist

Volume

20

Issue

3

Pages

419-429

Abstract

Spiders are often found as residents in association with Sarracenia purpurea ( Purple Pitcher Plant). Many spiders choose web locations based on environmental cues such as vegetation structure and composition, prey density, temperature, and humidity. To determine if spiders use cues from the Purple Pitcher Plant to build their webs, we conducted a field study using variants of the plant that separated various morphological features: nectar, pigment, and the presence of prey. There was no difference in spider residency across all treatments and no difference in male/female or mature/immature residency. Linyphiids were the most common residents, possibly due to pitcher structure and natural web size.

Original Publication Citation

Milne, M. A., & Waller, D. A. (2013). Does pitcher plant morphology affect spider residency? Northeastern Naturalist, 20(3), 419-429. doi:10.1656/045.020.0307

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