Detritus camouflage in webs of Helvibis longicauda (Araneae: Theridiidae)

Abstract

Adult females of Helvibis longicauda accumulated tiny pieces of vegetation in the mesh of their webs. The amount of debris accumulated was much greater in webs of spiders with either egg sacs, spiderlings or juveniles than in those of adult females without eggs or offspring. The debris possibly serves to camouflage the spider’s egg sac and offspring.