500 
Psyche 
[December 
(a) All prey overcome by biting. Post immobilization 
wrapping occurs at the capture site when the prey cannot 
be pulled from the web in the jaws. This stage occurs 
in Nephila clavipes. Function of wrapping enmeshed prey 
at the capture site : to permit the spider to safely remove 
its chelicerae from the prey for use in cutting it from 
the web. All prey stored at the hub. 
(b) All prey overcome by biting. In addition to post 
immobilization wrapping of enmeshed prey there is wrap- 
ping of prey freed from the web by pulling. This wrap- 
ping occurs before transportation on silk. Function: to 
permit the safe transportation of prey too large to be 
carried in the jaws. This stage also occurs in Nephila 
clavipes. All prey carried to the hub for storage. 
All prey overcome by biting. Post immobilization wrap- 
ping occurs at the capture site where it functions as in 
Stage 2. Additionally, after post immobilization wrapping 
at the capture site prey may be left in situ if the spider 
already has prey at the hub. Such wrapping acquires a 
new function : it enables the spider to safely store the 
prey at the capture site and omit immediate transportation 
to the hub. This stage is found in some species of 
Micrathena and G aster acantha. Some prey stored in the 
web. 
Stage 4. Immobilization biting retained for those prey which can 
escape rapidly from the web, other prey overcome by 
immobilization wrapping followed by a short bite. Im- 
mobilization wrapping similar in morphology to post im- 
mobilization wrapping at the capture site. Function of 
immobilization wrapping: to increase speed of prey han- 
dling, or conversely, to decrease the time spent away from 
the hub. Post immobilization wrapping at capture site 
retained for prey overcome by biting (functions: as in 
3, above). Post immobilization wrapping at hub retained 
for small prey which can be pulled from the web, and 
also for others which are carried to the hub in the jaws 
(function: as in 2 above). Some or all of these behaviors 
shown by Argiope argent ata , A. savignyi, A. florida (and 
probably by other Argiope species), also by Araneus 
diadematus (Peters 1931, 1933a) and probably many other 
araneids. Prey stored in web. 
Stage 2. 
Stage 3. 
