Web orientation in a golden orb‐web spider nephila clavata (Araneae: Tetragnathidae)

Abstract

Nephila clavata, a golden orb-web spider, was studied at two different field sites with respect to web size, height, and orientation. A majority of spiders at Site 1 (a band of shrub bush) built their webs parallel or nearly parallel to the edge of the bush. Similarly, at Site 2 (near a pond), most webs were aligned with the shoreline of the pond. Among the possible determining factors for the observed patterns of web orientation, wind and light did not appear important. Instead, the movement direction of insect prey appeared largely responsible. Disproportionately more webs faced outside the bush and toward the pond than inside the bush and away from the pond at Site 1 and 2, respectively. Such trend was more apparent for larger spiders with larger webs.