Clubiona spider (Araneae: Clubionidae) visiting flowers of nectariferous orchid Neottianthe cucullata

Abstract

Spiders are usually thought to obtain their energy for growth, maintenance and reproduction from captured prey. However, not all spiders should be assumed to receive all of their energy from prey. Accumulated studies have documented nectarivory in a wide variety of hunting spiders. We report a Clubiona spider visiting flowers of the nectariferous orchid Neottianthe cucullata as an example of spider nectarivory. In addition, during the visitations by Clubiona spider, pollinia removal was observed. The impact of the Clubiona spider on the N.cucullata reproductive success is also discussed. © 2013 The Entomological Society of Japan.