Various Aspects of the Biology of Agelena consociata Denis when Bred in the Laboratory

SYNOPSIS. Agelena consociata Denis, which Chauvin discoveredin Gabon, when put in a laboratory, weaves nests which are 2m² and consist of three different parts: shelters, a web, andvertical threads used as a snare. The snare stops insects intheir flight and causes them to fall into the web which thespiders use as their hunting field. These spiders have a nocturnalactivity which can be divided into two successive periods: afirst stage during which the spiders weave vertical threads,and a second stage of general activity. Hunting and eating are done in common. These activities andthe relations between the individuals which they involve, showin a definite way the social characteristics of these spiders. Eating favors an exchange of chemical substance between theindividuals, but we have not been able to determine the exactpart played by such an exchange. As study proceeds, we shall try to make clear the relationshipsbetween the individuals inside the society. We shall analyzegroup effects on physiology and behavior, comparing them tothose found for Agelena labyrinthica.