1916 I'ii mo mi Colh in i>( Entomology and Zoology, / ol. I HI, No. /, December 



The Growth and Color Patterns in 



Spiders 



MARGARET I . MOl is 



rhe growth oi immature spiders, from the period oi emerging 

 from the egg case to that oi the adult were studied. Representa- 

 tives oj seven large families, the Lycosidae, Attidae, Aviculariidae, 

 Epeiridae, rhomisidae, rheridiidae and Oxyopidae, and the life cycle 

 ol one genus and species ol each ol the families were minutely 

 described and drawn in colors. Besides noting the changes in body 

 developments, coloration and color pattern, the methods ol emerge 

 ino- from the egg ease, action ol spiderlings upon "hatching," the 

 growth ol all their parts and especially tlu- growth ol tlu- color 

 patterns, was noted. On account ol 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 lew moults. 



rhe females were collected with the eggs. I he young were 

 placed in Ljlass 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 oi large flies whose bodies had 

 been opened. Water in small drops was given each day. Some 

 oi the spiderlings such as Lycosidae and Oxyopidae were especially 

 fond ol the water and congregated around each drop in great num- 

 bers. The lood given the young seemed to satisfy them. They 

 would crawl all over the fly as soon as it lell among them ami soon 

 it could not be seen in the mass ol spiders. Small Lmats were put 

 in the cages but wo attempts were made by the small spiders to 

 catch them. Nicy were able to go lor days at a time without food 

 it given plenty ol water. 



1 he greater number of female spiders with then - egg cases were 

 collected during the months ol October, November and December, 

 The cases ol the Oxyopidae were found in the mountain canyons 

 under piles of damp leaves, those ol the Epeiridae were found in 

 the usual garden places under eaves and fastened under the leaves 



