Effects of gravity on temporary spiral construction byLeucauge mariana (Araneae: Araneidae)

Temporary spirals (TSP) in non-horizontal webs ofLeucauge mariana (Key-serling) showed consistent up-down asymmetries in initiation sites and spacing between loops that were not present in horizontal webs, even when possible effects of other web asymmetries were controlled for by changing the web's orientation just as TSP construction began. Cues from the web itself also affect spacing, since patterns of TSP placement differed between webs spun entirely at a given angle (e.g. 45°), and webs whose orientations were changed to that angle (e.g. 45°) just as TSP construction began. Spaces between successive TSP loops increased both above and below the hub, except for those of the outermost loop.