The Growth and Color Patterns in 
Spiders 
MARGARET L. MOLES 
The growth of immature spiders, from the period of emerging 
from the egg case to that of the adult were studied. Representa- 
tives of seven large families, the Lycoside, Attide, Aviculariide, 
Epeiride, Thomiside, Theridiide and Oxyopide, and the life cycle 
of one genus and species of each of the families were minutely 
described and drawn in colors. Besides noting the changes in body 
developments, coloration and color pattern, the methods of emerg- 
ing from the egg case, action of spiderlings upon “hatching,’’ the 
growth of all their parts and especially the growth of the color 
patterns, was noted. On account of the artificial conditions in 
which it was found necessary to raise the young, they did not always 
live to reach maturity, but were almost always raised at least up 
to the last few moults. 
The females were collected with the eggs. The young were 
placed in glass dishes with cloth tops; leaves and dirt were placed 
in the jars in order to resemble their natural environments. Food 
was given once a day. It consisted of large flies whose bodies had 
been opened. Water in small drops was given each day. Some 
of the spiderlings such as Lycoside and Oxyopide were especially 
fond of the water and congregated around each drop in great num- 
bers. The food given the young seemed to satisfy them. They 
would crawl all over the fly as soon as it fell among them and soon 
it could not be seen in the mass of spiders. Small gnats were put 
in the cages but no attempts were made by the small spiders ta 
catch them. They were able to go for days at a time without food 
if given plenty of water. 
The greater number of female spiders with their egg cases were 
collected during the months of October, November and December. 
The cases of the Oxyopide were found in the mountain canyons 
under piles of damp leaves, those of the Epeiride were found in 
the usual garden places under eaves and fastened under the leaves 
