Notes on the diet of the mediterranean black widow latrodectus tredecimguttatus (Rossi, 1790) (Araneae: Theridiidae) in south western Iberian peninsula

Abstract

Predators play important roles in ecosystems due to their effects on the diversity and abundance of prey communities and, ultimately, on ecosystem functions. To understand the ecology of the predatory behavior of different groups of animals and their impact on prey communities, knowledge of prey composition is essential. The aim of this study was to determine the diet composition of a predatory arthropod, the Mediterranean black widow Latrodectus tredecimguttatus (Rossi, 1790), in the Iberian Peninsula. We found that L. tredecimguttatus may be considered a stenophagous generalist predator, feeding on nine different arthropod orders (Araneae, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Julida, Mantodea, Orthoptera, Scorpiones and Solifugae). Hymenoptera (mostly ants) were the most common prey (58.9% of prey items) and Coleoptera (mostly Tenebrionidae) was the second most frequent (33.5% of prey items). Besides, we also found evidence of intraguild predation in this species. With this study, we contribute to the knowledge of L. tredecimguttatus ecology in the Iberian Peninsula, highlighting its role as a predator of diverse arthropods, including spiders and other predators.