Superfamily Argiopoidea 



Fig. 718. TURRET OF LYCOSA 



it was sure that no one was near. But it spent much time during 

 the day perched at the top of the turret, with its head projecting 

 so that it could see the region surrounding its retreat. This, 

 I think, indicates the use of the turret; it is a watch tower from 

 which the spider can 

 see its prey more read- 

 ily than it could from 

 the surface of the 

 ground. And the fact 

 that the spider used its 

 watch tower during 

 the day indicates that 

 it would leave it to 

 capture prey at this 

 time if it felt it were 

 safe to do so. 



When stationed at the top of the turret it rested, as it were, 

 on its elbows, with its tarsi inside the turret, so that it could 

 drop into the burrow instantly. 



The large Lycosas live two or more years; on the approach 

 of winter they close the entrance to their burrows with debris 

 fastened together with silk. 



The egg-sac of Lycosa is spherical and usually white; the seam 

 between the two valves is sometimes very conspicuous (Fig. 719), 



but often it is not well 

 marked. When the 

 spiderlings are ready 

 to emerge the female 

 rips open the sac with 

 her chelicerae. This I 

 have observed with a 

 large Lycosa that I 

 had in a breeding 

 cage. The female rolled the sac and pulled out threads along 

 the equator. 1 observed the female doing this one day and on 

 the following day the spiderlings were out. The young climb 

 onto the back of the mother and are carried about by her for some 

 time. A female of Lycosa belluo with her brood is represented 

 on page 620 ; the entire body except the head is covered with 

 spiderlings and presents a very unsightly appearance. 



625 



Fig. 719- LYCOSA WITH EGG-SAC 



