Bolas spiders

An example of chemical mimicry of pheromones involves the female bolas spider, Mastophora hutchinsoni it feeds exclusively on male moths of a... 

One of the most fascinating uses of semiochemicals by spiders is mimicry of lep-idopteran pheromones by bolas spiders (Araneidae), first observed by Hutchinson (1903). The biology of these spiders has been reviewed in detail by Yeargan (1994). Briefly, bolas spiders (Mastophoreae) do not build webs like other Araneidae but instead produce a short hanging line with a drop of glue at the end. When a male... 

Fig. 4.7. Volatiles identified from the bolas spider Mastophora cornigera and Mastophora hutchinsoni (15-19) and the pheromone components of Tetano-lita myenesalis (20, 21). 15, (Z)-9-Tetradecenal 16, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate 17, (Z)-ll-hexadecenal 18, (Z)-ll-hexadecenyl acetate 19, (9Z,12F)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate 20, (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-henicosatriene 21, (3Z,9Z)-(6S, 1R) ...

It must be pointed out that the analysis of bolas spider allomones is extremely difficult because the spiders produce them in minute amounts (1-2 ng/h Stowe et al, 1987). In addition, the spiders must be sampled individually because they are solitary hunters. 

Eberhard, W. G. (1977). Agressive chemical mimicry by bolas spiders. Science 198 1173-1175. 

The natural history and behavior of the bolas spider Mastophora dizzydeani sp. 

Gemeno, C., Yeargan, . V. and Haynes, K. F. (2000). Aggressive chemical mimicry by the bolas spider Mastophora hutchinsoni identification and quantification of a major prey s sex pheromone components in the spider s volatile emissions. Journal of Chemical Ecology 26 1235-1243. 

Haynes, K. E, Yeargan, . V., Millar, J. G. and Chastan, . B. (1996). Identification of sex pheromone of Tetanolita myenesalis (Lepidoptera Noctuidae), a prey species of bolas spiders, Mastophora hutchinsoni. Journal of Chemical Ecology 22 ... 

Stowe, M. K., Tumlinson, J. H. and Heath, R. R. (1987). Chemical mimicry bolas spiders emit components of moth prey species sex pheromones. Science 236 964-967. 

Yeargan, . V. (1994). Biology of bolas spiders. Annual Review of Entomology 39 81-99. 

Yeargan, . V. and Quate, L. W. (1996). Juvenile bolas spiders attract psychodid flies. Oecologia 106 266-271. 

Yeargan, . V. (1988). Ecology of a bolas spider, Mastophora hutchinsoni phenology, hunting tactics, and evidence of aggressive chemical mimicry. Oecologia (Berlin) 74 524-530. 

Biology of bolas spiders. Annual Review of Entomology 39 81-99. 

One of the best documented examples of aggressive non-social arthropod mimicry is that of bolas spiders that use the female sex pheromones of their lepidopteran hosts, mostly noctuids, to attract moth males. In their study on the moth Tetanolita mynesalis, i.e., the... 

Yeargan, K.V. (1994). Biology of bolas spiders. Annu. Rev. Entomol., 39, 81-99. Youngsteadt, E. and DeVries, P. J. (2005). The effects of ants on the entomophagous butterfly caterpillar Feniseca tarquinius, and the putative role of chemical camouflage in the Feniseca-ant interaction../. Chem. Ecol., 31, 2091-2109. 

South American female Bolas spiders use an allomone blend, which contains the sex attractant (9Z)-tetradecenyl acetate of moths, to entice their prey imder false pretences , and then catch it with a sticky woven globule at the end of a silk thread, known as a bolas . By swinging the bolas with a foreleg at flying male moths nearby, the spider may angle its target rather like a fisherman snagging a fish on a hook. 

Also spiders (Arachtiida) use pheromones for chemical communication (Fig. 8.68). Lardolure is the a regation pheromone of the fish mite Lardoglyphus konoi [169], and bolas spiders use a moth pheromone as an allomone. [162]... 

Eberhard, W.G. Aggressive Chemical Mimicry by a Bolas Spider. Science 198, 1173-1175 (1977). 

Bolas spiders, Mastophora spp., capture prey by swinging a sticky ball on the end of a thread at passing insects. Once struck, the prey adheres to the ball whereupon the spider descends the connecting strand and feeds on the prey. The success of such a short-range means of attack, requires that a substantial number of prey passes within the range of the spider s attack. Eberhard (1977)... 

However, mature female bolas spiders, Mastophora sp., attract males of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, with a volatile substance that apparently mimics the female sex attractant of this species (Eberhard, 1977). 

About the cover The cover depicts a female bolas spider in her hunting posture. The spider aggressively mimics the sex pheromone blend of a few species of moths, and thus attracts only male moths. These prey are caught by the sticky ball (or bolas) at the end of the vertical line. 

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