Intraspecific interactions of argyrodes antipodiana, a kleptoparasitic spider from New Zealand

Abstract

Intraspecific interactions (male-male, female-female, male-female) of Argyrodes antipodiana (O.P.-Cambridge), a New Zealand kleptoparasitic spider, were studied in the laboratory. Interactions, especially male-female interactions, tended to be complex and of long duration, and included 32 different displays being used in sequences that could last for over 5 h. In male-female interactions, there were numerous alternations between displaying and copulating, but most courtship followed the initial copulation. The possible adaptive significance of A. antipodiana’& complex courtship is discussed. The role of pheromones in the intraspecific interactions of this species is also investigated. © The Royal Society of New Zealand 1994.