164 AMERICAN SPIDERS 



The recently hatched young remain with the mother for some time, 

 and receive consideration far beyond what one might expect from 

 simply organized creatures. The common Theridion notatum of 

 Europe and no doubt similar spiders from many other parts of the 

 world feed their young for several days by regurgitating fluid upon 

 which the babies make their first meals. Thereafter for several 

 weeks, the mother and babies feed together upon insects caught 

 and dragged to the retreat. 



A typical theridiid web has, in addititon to a central maze with 

 or without the retreat, a series of longer guy lines that anchor the 

 whole against supporting surfaces. These guy lines are held taut 

 near their base by inconspicuous studs of viscous silk. Small insects 

 walking against the lines are held by the glue; when their struggling 

 breaks a line, they are lifted bodily by its contraction. The dis- 

 turbance quickly brings the spider to the spot, and the size of the 

 intruder determines to some extent the reaction. 



A pictorial story of the technique used by a black widow spider 

 to subdue a large wingless Jerusalem cricket (Stenopelmatus) is 

 shown in Plates XX and XXI and Plate 6. The spider approaches 

 cautiously, no doubt forewarned of the size of the prey by the 

 strength of the pulls on the lines, then turns completely around to 

 present its long hind legs to the victim. With the aid of the comb 

 on its flailing hind legs, it draws out heavy lines of sticky silk and 

 ties them to the leg of the insect, until a strong band is formed. 

 The spider next turns and injects its venom by piercing the leg 

 with its tiny, sharp chelicerae. (Ordinarily the victim is not closely 

 approached until completely fettered.) Then begins the task of 

 lifting the still struggling insect off the snare floor and moving it to 

 a suitable point in the maze. By numerous small steps, during which 

 various threads are tightened and others put down, the bulky vic- 

 tim is hoisted gradually into the air until it is about three inches 

 from the floor. Now follows the banquet. The spider feasts lei- 

 surely for three or four days upon the body of the tightly bound 

 prey; then the much shrunken remains, sucked dry, are gradually 

 lowered beyond the inner maze and dropped to the ground. 



The theridiids have long been noted for their engineering skill 

 in lifting objects of great size. Common domestic Theridion tepi- 

 dariorum is credited with having overcome and lifted small snakes, 

 mice, and other animals. After presenting the details of captures of 

 various small snakes by this spider, McCook has the following to 

 say: 



