Influence of prey species on the supercooling ability of the redback spider, Latrodectus hasseltii (Araneae: Theridiidae)

Abstract

Influence of prey animals on the supercooling ability of the redback spider, Latrodectus hasseltii, was examined. Supercooling points (SCPs) of this spider varied widely according to the prey items. The spiders fed laboratory-cultured insects were lower in SCPs than those supplied with field-collected ants. This suggests that the field-collected animals have efficient ice nucleators compared to the laboratory-reared animals. However, the correlation in supercooling points between the spiders and prey species was not perfect. This would be in part due to differences in quality or/and quantity of ice nucreators derived from prey species.