Kleptoparasitism

Guides

Ageniellini
Mud-nesting Spider Wasps
Ageniellini is a cosmopolitan tribe of spider wasps (subfamily Pepsinae) comprising 17 genera. Members are commonly known as mud-nesting spider wasps due to their frequent construction of thimble-shaped mud nests, often communally. The tribe exhibits exceptional behavioral diversity, with three distinct nesting strategies: mud nest construction, dry soil excavation, and kleptoparasitic nest usurpation. These strategies have evolved independently multiple times from nest-constructing ancestors. Like all Pompilidae, females provision nests with paralyzed spiders as larval food, with most Ageniellini species characteristically removing spider legs before transport.
Hymenoptera Pompilidae spider-wasps kleptoparasitism mud-nests cosmopolitan communal-nesting leg-amputation
Anapidae
Ground Orb-web Spiders
Anapidae is a family of minute spiders containing approximately 233 extant species in 59 genera, with most adults measuring less than 2 mm in body length. The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision, incorporating the former families Micropholcommatidae and Holarchaeidae as subfamilies. Members are primarily ground-dwelling inhabitants of moist forest habitats, where many species construct diminutive orb webs less than 3 cm in diameter. The group exhibits remarkable anatomical conservation despite extreme miniaturization, retaining complete organ systems and musculature that comparable-sized insects often reduce or lose.
miniaturization orb-web leaf-litter ground-dwelling symphytognathoid Araneoidea kleptoparasitism convergent-evolution subterranean-adaptation eye-reduction anatomical-conservation hygrophilous fossil-record-(Baltic-amber)
Apiomerus flaviventris
Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin, bee assassin bug
Apiomerus flaviventris is a predatory assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as the yellow-bellied bee assassin. This species is notable for its specialized feeding habits targeting bees and its remarkable use of plant-derived chemical defenses. Females collect resin from brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) and apply it to their eggs as a protective barrier against predation, particularly by ants. The species inhabits arid and semiarid regions of southwestern North America.
assassin-bug bee-predator resin-collection chemical-defense parental-care kleptoparasitism Reduviidae Harpactorinae Apiomerus Hemiptera arid-habitat southwestern-North-America Encelia-farinosa brittlebush egg-protection ant-defense flower-ambush-predator
Bittacus stigmaterus
Say's Hanging-fly
Bittacus stigmaterus is a North American hangingfly in the family Bittacidae, commonly known as Say's Hanging-fly. The species exhibits elaborate courtship behavior in which males capture arthropod prey and present them to females as nuptial gifts. Females exercise mate choice based on prey size, with larger gifts increasing male mating success. Males also engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing prey gifts from rival males.
Mecoptera Bittacidae hangingfly nuptial-gift sexual-selection kleptoparasitism North-America
Braula
bee lice, bee louse
Braula is a genus of wingless, highly modified flies in the family Braulidae. Adults are obligate commensals of honey bees (Apis mellifera), living on the bodies of workers, queens, and drones and stealing food during trophallaxis. Larvae tunnel through wax honeycomb. The genus is cosmopolitan and contains five described species, with Braula coeca being the most studied.
wingless commensalism honey-bee-associate kleptoparasitism trophallaxis pheromone-mediated-host-selection cosmopolitan
Desmometopa varipalpis
freeloader fly
Desmometopa varipalpis is a species of freeloader fly in the family Milichiidae, described by Malloch in 1927. It is found in Europe and the Galápagos Islands. Like other members of its genus, it has been observed engaging in kleptoparasitism, feeding on prey captured by spiders and praying mantids.
kleptoparasitism Milichiidae Diptera Europe Galápagos spider-associate mantid-associate honey-bee
Diplogyniidae
Diplogyniidae is a family of parasitic mites in the order Mesostigmata. Most species are associated with beetles, particularly passalid beetles (Coleoptera: Passalidae), histerid beetles (Histeridae), and scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae). Some species have been recorded from larger mammals, including rats. The family exhibits strong host specificity, with many species restricted to single host species, though exceptions such as Paradiplogynium nahmani occur across multiple hosts.
mites Mesostigmata parasites phoresy kleptoparasitism beetle-associates passalid-beetles histerid-beetles host-specificity Panesthia-cockroaches
Euglossini
orchid bees, euglossine bees
Euglossini, commonly known as orchid bees, is a tribe of approximately 200 species in five genera (Euglossa, Eulaema, Eufriesea, Exaerete, and Aglae) distributed throughout the Neotropics. The tribe is unique among corbiculate bees in that non-parasitic members exhibit diverse social behaviors ranging from solitary to primitively eusocial, rather than uniform eusociality. Males are distinguished by their exclusive behavior of collecting volatile fragrances from orchids and other sources, storing them in specialized hind tibial pockets for use in courtship displays. This fragrance collection drives mutualistic relationships with orchids, where male bees serve as exclusive pollinators for many species.
orchid-bees euglossine-bees Apidae pollination chemical-ecology fragrance-collection neotropical orchid-mutualism kleptoparasitism bioindicator metallic-coloration solitary-bees eusociality courtship-display Zahavi's-handicap-principle
Eusiphona mira
freeloader fly
Eusiphona mira is a species of freeloader fly in the family Milichiidae, a group known for their kleptoparasitic behavior at insect carcasses and spider kills. The species was described by Coquillett in 1897. Like other milichiids, adults are small, typically dark-colored flies that exploit feeding opportunities created by other insects rather than capturing prey themselves.
Milichiidae Diptera freeloader-fly kleptoparasitism
Exomalopsis
Exomalopsis is a genus of solitary bees in the family Apidae, tribe Exomalopsini, comprising nearly 90 described species with many more undescribed. These bees are restricted to the Western Hemisphere, occurring in both Neotropical and Nearctic realms. Species nest communally in soil, excavating deep tunnels with branching underground pathways leading to individual brood cells. The genus is notable for its complex associations with kleptoparasitic cuckoo bees and parasitoid wasps.
bees solitary-bees soil-nesting kleptoparasitism mutillid-parasitoids Western-Hemisphere Neotropical Nearctic Apidae Exomalopsini
Gryllidea
crickets
Gryllidea is an infraorder within the suborder Ensifera comprising crickets and their relatives. The group contains two superfamilies—Grylloidea (true crickets, tree crickets, scaly crickets, and allies) and Gryllotalpoidea (mole crickets and ant crickets)—encompassing more than 6,000 described species globally. Members are characterized by acoustic communication through stridulation, with males producing species-specific songs to attract mates. The infraorder originated in the Triassic period approximately 250–200 million years ago and represents the third most diverse group within Orthoptera.
crickets Orthoptera Ensifera acoustic-communication stridulation mole-crickets ant-crickets myrmecophily bioacoustics edible-insects agricultural-pest household-pest Triassic-origin hemimetabolous-development kleptoparasitism chemical-mimicry autotomy thigmotaxis invasive-species Diestrammena-asynamora Acheta-domesticus Gryllodes-sigillatus Gryllus-firmus Paragordius-varius host-parasite-interactions mitochondrial-genomics positive-selection cox1 Nearctic-fauna Yunnan-biodiversity urban-ecology soil-ecosystem-engineering decomposer food-security alternative-protein
Homoeolabus analis
Leaf-rolling weevil, Oak leaf rolling weevil
Homoeolabus analis is a leaf-rolling weevil in the family Attelabidae, native to North America. The species is notable for its distinctive reproductive behavior: females cut and roll oak leaves into protective structures called nidi (singular: nidus) to shelter their eggs. This behavior, termed "nidification," is subject to kleptoparasitism by the thief weevil Pterocolus ovatus, which steals eggs from these leaf rolls. Despite their conspicuous leaf damage, populations generally cause minimal impact to host plant health.
leaf-rolling-weevil nidification oak kleptoparasitism Attelabidae
Lepidophora
bee flies
Lepidophora is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae, comprising eight described species restricted to the New World. The genus exhibits a distinctive hunch-backed body shape and includes species with notable mimicry patterns. Larvae are kleptoparasites of solitary wasp nests, usurping provisions rather than parasitizing larvae directly. Adults are commonly observed feeding on nectar from flowers.
Bombyliidae bee-flies kleptoparasitism New-World Diptera mimicry wasps pollination
Lobogynioides
Lobogynioides is a genus of mesostigmatic mites in the family Diplogyniidae. The genus is known from Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region. Members are associated with beetles through obligatory phoretic relationships and exhibit kleptoparasitic feeding behavior. The single well-documented species, L. andreinii, develops from egg to adult in 48–60+ days at 18–22°C.
mites mesostigmata phoresy kleptoparasitism bark-dwelling
Metepeira gosoga
Metepeira gosoga is an orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it constructs a distinctive web consisting of a small orb web connected to a tangled labyrinth of silk surrounding a thimble-shaped retreat. The species is poorly documented in the scientific literature, with most information inferred from better-studied congeners.
Araneidae orb-weaver labyrinth-spider arid-habitat kleptoparasitism southwestern-North-America poorly-known-species
Microphorinae
Microphorinae is a subfamily of flies currently classified within Dolichopodidae (sensu lato), though historically treated as a separate family or subfamily of Empididae. The subfamily contains seven genera: two extant (Microphor and Schistostoma) and five extinct genera known from Cretaceous and Eocene amber deposits. The Nearctic fauna includes 33 species across both extant genera, with Schistostoma being notably diverse. Extinct species in Microphorites exhibit remarkable leg modifications suggesting complex behavioral adaptations.
Diptera Dolichopodidae Empidoidea amber-fossils kleptoparasitism pollen-feeding
Milichiella
freeloader flies
Milichiella is a genus of small flies in the family Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies. The genus is cosmopolitan in distribution with numerous species described from tropical and subtropical regions. Species within this genus are kleptoparasites, attracted to predatory events where they feed on fluids from prey captured by other arthropods such as spiders and assassin bugs. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many species described by Brake in 2009.
kleptoparasitism Diptera Milichiidae chemical-ecology myrmecophily cosmopolitan-distribution
Mysmenidae
dwarf cobweb weavers
Mysmenidae is a family of minute spiders comprising approximately 135-188 described species across 13-17 genera. Members are among the smallest known spiders, ranging from 0.75 to 3 mm in body length. The family is one of the least studied groups of orb-weaving spiders due to their diminutive size and cryptic habits. Many species exhibit kleptoparasitic behavior, inhabiting the webs of other spiders to steal prey.
Araneae kleptoparasitism microhabitat-specialists cryptic-fauna cave-fauna leaf-litter-fauna orb-weaving-spiders minute-spiders tropical-spiders biodiversity-hotspot-indicators
Olcella
frit flies
Olcella is a genus of small frit flies in the family Chloropidae, subfamily Oscinellinae. The genus contains approximately 11 described species with highest diversity in South America, particularly Argentina. Several Nearctic species have been documented engaging in kleptoparasitism, feeding on prey fluids from insects captured by predators such as spiders, assassin bugs, and mantids. Species in this genus possess a long geniculate (elbowed) proboscis that facilitates feeding on exposed fluids without disturbing the predator.
kleptoparasitism chemical-attraction New-World Chloropidae Oscinellinae frit-flies predator-prey-interactions South-America Nearctic genus
Olcella trigramma
Olcella trigramma is a small fly in the family Chloropidae, known primarily from South America. The genus Olcella is a New World group with high diversity in South America, and this species has been documented as a kleptoparasite, feeding on fluids from prey captured by predatory insects such as assassin bugs and spiders. Like other members of its genus, it possesses a long geniculate proboscis that facilitates feeding on exposed fluids without directly competing with the predator. The species is attracted to chemical cues, particularly defensive compounds released by heteropteran prey such as stink bugs.
kleptoparasitism Chloropidae Oscinellinae Diptera Argentina stink-bug chemical-attraction predator-prey-interaction
Oscinellinae
grass flies
Oscinellinae is a subfamily of frit flies (family Chloropidae) comprising at least 40 genera and approximately 180 described species. Members are commonly known as grass flies and are associated primarily with monocotyledonous plants, with some species acting as secondary invaders of other plants. The subfamily has been documented engaging in kleptoparasitic behavior, feeding on fluids from prey captured by predatory insects. Species are distributed across multiple continents with documented records from Russia, Argentina, and other regions.
kleptoparasitism grass-flies agricultural-habitats monocot-feeders Chloropidae
Philoponella oweni
Philoponella oweni is a small cribellate orb-weaver spider (4.7–7.1 mm) found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The species exhibits facultative semi-social behavior, with females living either solitarily or in communal groups of 2–40 individuals depending on web-site availability and prey abundance. Despite communal living, individuals do not cooperate in prey capture, web construction, or brood care. Communal females benefit from higher feeding rates and greater egg production, but suffer increased parasitism by pteromalid wasps, resulting in equivalent net reproductive success between strategies.
spider orb-weaver cribellate semi-social facultatively-communal arid-habitat southwestern-United-States Mexico parasitism kleptoparasitism
Podalonia argentipilis
Cutworm Hunter Wasp, Cutworm Wasp
Podalonia argentipilis is a solitary thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, subfamily Ammophilinae. Females hunt soil-dwelling caterpillars (cutworms), paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows as food for their larvae. Unlike most sphecid wasps, this species digs the burrow after capturing prey rather than before. The species is part of a genus of nineteen North American species that are frequently mistaken for Sphex or Ammophila wasps due to similar body plans.
solitary-wasp thread-waisted-wasp caterpillar-hunter cutworm-predator kleptoparasitism early-spring-activity beneficial-insect
Prionyx thomae
Prionyx thomae is a solitary, thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae. It is one of seven Prionyx species in the United States, ranging from the southeastern and western U.S. south to Argentina. The species is a specialist predator of grasshoppers, paralyzing them with venom to provision underground nests for its larvae. It lacks a common English name, reflecting its limited economic importance.
solitary-wasp grasshopper-predator thread-waisted-wasp burrowing-wasp parasitoid kleptoparasitism Sphecidae Acrididae-prey territorial-males New-World-distribution
Protandrena
mining bees
Protandrena is a genus of solitary mining bees in the family Andrenidae, containing 50–180 described species depending on taxonomic circumscription. Most species nest underground in sunny areas with sparse vegetation, constructing cells lined with a protective chemical 'wallpaper' that inhibits fungal and bacterial growth. The genus exhibits diverse social structures, with most species solitary but some forming nest aggregations and at least one species (P. evansi) exhibiting communal nesting. Activity is primarily from May to October in temperate regions, with some southern populations active earlier.
mining-bee solitary-bee communal-nesting monolectic kleptoparasitism underground-nest chemical-nest-lining Andrenidae Panurginae specialist-pollinator generalist-pollinator
Ranzovius californicus
Ranzovius californicus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Van Duzee in 1917. It exhibits an unusual ecological relationship with spiders, specifically inhabiting the sheet webs of Hololena curta and feeding on prey captured in those webs. This kleptoparasitic or commensal behavior distinguishes it from most other mirid bugs. The species is known from California and broader North America, though detailed biological information remains limited.
kleptoparasitism spider-web-association commensalism California-endemic
Solenopsis texana
thief ant, Texas thief ant
Solenopsis texana is a species of thief ant in the family Formicidae, described by Emery in 1895. The species is native to Texas and surrounding regions. Two subspecies are recognized: S. t. texana and S. t. catalinae. Like other members of the genus Solenopsis, this species is small and inconspicuous, earning the common name "thief ant" due to its habit of nesting near other ant colonies and stealing resources.
ant thief-ant native-species Texas kleptoparasitism Myrmicinae
Sphecius
Cicada-killer Wasps, Cicada Killers
Sphecius is a genus of large, solitary, ground-dwelling predatory wasps commonly known as cicada-killer wasps. The genus comprises 21 recognized species worldwide, with highest diversity in the region between North Africa and Central Asia. Females hunt adult cicadas, sting them into paralysis, and provision underground nests with these prey items for their larval offspring. The genus is notable for pronounced sexual size dimorphism, with females approximately twice the size of males, and for complex male territorial behavior. Four species occur in the Americas: S. speciosus (eastern), S. grandis (western), S. convallis (Pacific), and S. hogardii (Caribbean).
solitary-wasp cicada-predator ground-nesting sexual-dimorphism kleptoparasitism territoriality mass-provisioning soil-aerator
Sphecius convallis
Pacific cicada killer, Pacific cicada-killer wasp
Sphecius convallis, the Pacific cicada killer, is a large solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae. Females hunt cicadas, paralyze them with venom, and transport them to underground burrows as food for their larvae. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions west of the 100th meridian in North America, with populations studied intensively in Arizona mine tailings. Research has documented complex behavioral ecology including kleptoparasitism, thermal regulation strategies, and sex-specific provisioning behaviors.
solitary-wasp cicada-predator kleptoparasitism desert-fauna fossorial thermal-biology
Sphecius speciosus
Eastern cicada-killer wasp, cicada killer, cicada hawk
Sphecius speciosus is a large, solitary digger wasp and one of the largest wasps in eastern North America. Females hunt cicadas, paralyzing them with venom to provision underground nest cells for their larvae. Despite their formidable size and appearance, they pose minimal threat to humans—females rarely sting unless roughly handled, and males lack stingers entirely. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with females substantially larger to accommodate egg-laying and prey transport duties.
solitary-wasp digger-wasp cicada-predator ground-nesting sexual-dimorphism territorial-behavior kleptoparasitism beneficial-insect
Stictocephala stimulea
Stictocephala stimulea is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1914. Treehoppers in this genus are characterized by their enlarged, often ornate pronotum that extends over the body like a helmet or thorn. The specific epithet 'stimulea' suggests possible resemblance to or association with stinging organisms, though this refers to appearance rather than actual sting. Like other membracids, this species likely feeds on plant phloem sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Membracidae treehopper Auchenorrhyncha Cicadomorpha Stictocephala Ceresini Smiliinae Hemiptera sap-feeder pronotum helmet thorn-mimicry plant-feeding-insect phloem-feeder cryptic-coloration camouflage Van-Duzee-1914 Nearctic North-America Florida North-Carolina South-Dakota understudied-species data-deficient taxonomy entomology insect arthropod true-bug auchenorrhynchan cicadomorph leafhopper-relative plant-hopper ornate-pronotum pronotal-extension dorsal-helmet insect-morphology insect-systematics biodiversity natural-history conservation insect-ecology insect-behavior insect-development insect-distribution biogeography species-description type-specimen original-description historical-taxonomy museum-specimen collection-record occurrence-data GBIF iNaturalist citizen-science observation-record range-map distribution-data geographic-range endemic native-species regional-fauna local-biodiversity habitat-specificity host-plant feeding-guild phytophagous herbivore plant-insect-interaction coevolution mimicry defense crypsis evolutionary-adaptation morphological-adaptation exoskeleton-modification structural-coloration insect-identification field-guide diagnostic-character taxonomic-key species-complex cryptic-species morphological-variation geographic-variation phenotypic-plasticity life-history reproduction oviposition nymph instar metamorphosis hemimetabolous incomplete-metamorphosis population-dynamics community-ecology food-web trophic-level primary-consumer ecosystem-function nutrient-cycling energy-flow biological-control pest-status agricultural-relevance forestry urban-ecology invasive-potential climate-change habitat-loss conservation-status data-gap research-need taxonomic-revision phylogenetics molecular-systematics DNA-barcoding integrative-taxonomy natural-history-collection specimen-digitization open-data FAIR-data biodiversity-informatics biological-database taxonomic-authority nomenclature zoological-nomenclature International-Code-of-Zoological-Nomenclature type-locality type-specimen-deposition author-citation original-combination current-combination synonymy homonymy nomenclatural-act taxonomic-history classification-system phylogenetic-classification evolutionary-relationships monophyly clade lineage stem-group crown-group divergence-time molecular-clock fossil-record paleontology extant extinct living-fossil evolutionary-history biogeographic-history dispersal vicariance range-expansion range-contraction refugium glacial-relict postglacial-colonization anthropogenic-impact human-disturbance land-use-change urbanization agricultural-intensification pesticide-use habitat-fragmentation connectivity corridor protected-area conservation-planning systematic-conservation-planning priority-area hotspot endemic-area center-of-origin center-of-diversity evolutionary-significant-unit management-unit population metapopulation source-sink-dynamics demography vital-rates survival fecundity generation-time population-growth-rate carrying-capacity density-dependence regulation limiting-factor environmental-stochasticity demographic-stochasticity genetic-stochasticity inbreeding-depression outbreeding-depression genetic-diversity heterozygosity allelic-richness effective-population-size genetic-drift gene-flow migration isolation-by-distance isolation-by-resistance landscape-genetics population-genomics phylogeography historical-demography coalescent-theory approximate-Bayesian-computation species-distribution-model ecological-niche-model habitat-suitability bioclimatic-envelope climate-envelope niche-conservatism niche-evolution realized-niche fundamental-niche biotic-interaction competition predation parasitism mutualism commensalism amensalism facilitation apparent-competition indirect-interaction trophic-cascade top-down-control bottom-up-control mesopredator-release keystone-species ecosystem-engineer foundation-species dominant-species characteristic-species indicator-species umbrella-species flagship-species surrogate-species focal-species target-species pest-species invasive-species naturalized-species alien-species non-native-species introduced-species cryptogenic-species range-shift poleward-shift elevational-shift phenological-shift temporal-mismatch trophic-mismatch phenology seasonality voltinism univoltine bivoltine multivoltine partial-generation prolonged-diapause aestivation hibernation overwintering overwintering-strategy cold-hardiness freeze-tolerance freeze-avoidance supercooling cryoprotectant thermal-biology thermoregulation behavioral-thermoregulation microclimate-selection habitat-selection oviposition-site-selection host-selection mate-choice sexual-selection sperm-competition cryptic-female-choice reproductive-isolation prezygotic-isolation postzygotic-isolation speciation allopatric-speciation sympatric-speciation parapatric-speciation peripatric-speciation reinforcement hybridization introgression hybrid-zone cline ecotone contact-zone secondary-contact exogenous-selection endogenous-selection ecological-speciation mutation-order-speciation sexual-conflict sexual-dimorphism sexual-size-dimorphism sexual-dichromatism polymorphism color-polymorphism morph phase gregarious-phase solitary-phase density-dependent-polyphenism reaction-norm genotype-environment-interaction plasticity canalization genetic-assimilation acclimation acclimatization hardening stress-response heat-shock-protein oxidative-stress hypoxia desiccation starvation immune-response innate-immunity humoral-immunity cellular-immunity encapsulation nodulation phagocytosis melanization antimicrobial-peptide phenoloxidase prophenoloxidase lysozyme defensin cecropin diptericin attacin immune-gene immune-pathway Toll-pathway Imd-pathway JAK-STAT-pathway NF-κB relish dorsal immune-memory specific-immunity transgenerational-immune-priming gut-microbiome symbiosis obligate-symbiont facultative-symbiont primary-symbiont secondary-symbiont vertical-transmission horizontal-transmission mixed-mode-transmission nutritional-symbiosis defensive-symbiosis digestive-symbiosis detoxification metabolism biosynthesis vitamin-synthesis amino-acid-synthesis steroid-synthesis cuticle-synthesis chitin-synthesis molting ecdysis ecdysteroid juvenile-hormone insulin-signaling TOR-signaling nutrient-sensing energy-storage lipid-metabolism carbohydrate-metabolism protein-metabolism flight-metabolism respiration tracheal-system spiracle gas-exchange water-balance osmoregulation excretion Malpighian-tubule hindgut rectum cryptonephridial-system ion-transport water-reabsorption nitrogenous-waste uric-acid urea ammonia detoxification-enzyme cytochrome-P450 glutathione-S-transferase carboxylesterase mixed-function-oxidase resistance insecticide-resistance acaricide-resistance herbicide-resistance antibiotic-resistance resistance-management resistance-evolution resistance-mechanism target-site-resistance metabolic-resistance behavioral-resistance cuticular-resistance resistance-allele resistance-gene fitness-cost fitness-benefit pleiotropy trade-off life-history-trade-off allocation resource-allocation energy-allocation time-allocation foraging optimal-foraging central-place-foraging patch-use marginal-value-theorem predator-avoidance antipredator-defense masquerade Batesian-mimicry Müllerian-mimicry automimicry intraspecific-mimicry intersexual-mimicry aggressive-mimicry social-parasitism brood-parasitism kleptoparasitism defense-behavior thanatosis death-feigning startle-display deimatic-display eyespot deflection-mark autotomy reflex-bleeding regurgitation defensive-secretion venom toxin allomone kairomone synomone semiochemical pheromone sex-pheromone aggregation-pheromone alarm-pheromone trail-pheromone territorial-pheromone recognition-pheromone signature-mixture cuticular-hydrocarbon volatile-organic-compound olfaction gustation mechanoreception thermoreception hygroreception photoreception vision compound-eye ommatidium rhabdom visual-pigment opsin color-vision polarization-vision motion-detection optomotor-response phototaxis photoperiodism circadian-rhythm biological-clock entrainment zeitgeber circannual-rhythm photoperiod day-length critical-day-length critical-photoperiod diapause-induction diapause-termination diapause-maintenance diapause-development endocrine-control neuroendocrine corpus-allatum corpus-cardiacum prothoracic-gland ecdysiotropin ecdysiostatin allatostatin allatotropin neuropeptide hormone hormone-receptor signal-transduction gene-expression transcription-factor regulatory-gene structural-gene gene-network gene-regulatory-network developmental-gene Hox-gene homeobox segment-polarity-gene gap-gene pair-rule-gene maternal-effect-gene zygotic-gene embryonic-development embryogenesis cleavage blastoderm gastrulation segmentation tagmosis appendage-development imaginal-disc holometabolous complete-metamorphosis larva pupa adult apolysis teneral sclerotization tanning cuticle exoskeleton epicuticle procuticle exocuticle endocuticle resilin sclerotin chitin protein lipid wax cement-layer wax-layer surface-lipid waterproofing anti-wetting anti-fouling self-cleaning structural-color pigmentary-color ommin pteridine carotenoid melanin papiliochrome flavonoid anthocyanin betalain iridescence photonic-crystal diffraction-grating thin-film-interference multilayer-reflector scattering Tyndall-scattering Rayleigh-scattering Mie-scattering non-iridescent-structural-color biochrome biofluorescence bioluminescence luciferin luciferase photoprotein bioluminescent-system counter-illumination burglar-alarm lure communication mate-recognition predator-deterrence aposematism warning-coloration honest-signal dishonest-signal signal-evolution signal-design receiver-psychology sensory-bias sensory-exploitation sensory-trap amplifier attenuator signal-efficacy signal-honesty handicap-principle index-signal conventional-signal assessment-signal territorial-signal dominance-signal submissive-signal aggressive-signal courtship-signal copulatory-signal postcopulatory-signal antagonistic-coevolution chase-away-selection sensory-drive reproductive-character-displacement genetic-exchange admixture hybrid-fitness hybrid-breakdown hybrid-vigor heterosis genetic-load mutational-meltdown founder-effect bottleneck population-expansion invasion-genetics propagule-pressure introduction-effort establishment spread lag-phase exponential-growth logistic-growth Allee-effect demographic-Allee-effect component-Allee-effect strong-Allee-effect weak-Allee-effect critical-population-size minimum-viable-population extinction-risk population-viability-analysis stochastic-model deterministic-model individual-based-model agent-based-model spatially-explicit-model metapopulation-model source-sink-model integrated-population-model state-space-model hierarchical-model Bayesian-model machine-learning artificial-intelligence computer-vision image-recognition automated-identification deep-learning neural-network convolutional-neural-network transfer-learning data-augmentation training-set validation-set test-set accuracy precision recall F1-score confusion-matrix receiver-operating-characteristic area-under-curve model-selection model-validation cross-validation bootstrapping permutation-test null-model randomization-test Monte-Carlo-simulation Markov-chain-Monte-Carlo Gibbs-sampling Metropolis-Hastings-algorithm Bayesian-inference prior-distribution posterior-distribution likelihood-function evidence model-comparison Bayes-factor information-criterion Akaike-information-criterion corrected-AIC Bayesian-information-criterion deviance-information-criterion Watanabe-Akaike-information-criterion cross-validation-information-criterion stacking model-averaging ensemble-model prediction forecasting scenario-analysis sensitivity-analysis uncertainty-analysis propagation-of-uncertainty error-budget confidence-interval credible-interval prediction-interval tolerance-interval statistical-power sample-size effect-size significance-test hypothesis-testing null-hypothesis alternative-hypothesis type-I-error type-II-error false-positive false-negative multiple-comparison Bonferroni-correction false-discovery-rate q-value p-value significance-level alpha-level beta-level statistical-test parametric-test nonparametric-test robust-test exact-test asymptotic-test bootstrap-test jackknife resampling subsampling leave-one-out k-fold stratified-sampling balanced-sampling imbalanced-data class-imbalance oversampling undersampling synthetic-minority-oversampling SMOTE ADASYN cost-sensitive-learning ensemble-method bagging boosting random-forest gradient-boosting XGBoost LightGBM CatBoost support-vector-machine kernel-method radial-basis-function polynomial-kernel linear-kernel sigmoid-kernel decision-tree classification-tree regression-tree pruning cost-complexity-pruning minimum-description-length rule-based-classifier association-rule frequent-pattern apriori-algorithm FP-growth sequential-pattern temporal-pattern spatial-pattern spatiotemporal-pattern time-series-analysis trend-analysis seasonal-decomposition autoregressive-model moving-average-model ARIMA SARIMA exponential-smoothing state-space-model Kalman-filter particle-filter hidden-Markov-model dynamic-Bayesian-network recurrent-neural-network long-short-term-memory gated-recurrent-unit transformer attention-mechanism self-attention multi-head-attention encoder decoder encoder-decoder-architecture sequence-to-sequence-model generative-model generative-adversarial-network variational-autoencoder normalizing-flow diffusion-model energy-based-model Boltzmann-machine restricted-Boltzmann-machine deep-belief-network autoencoder denoising-autoencoder sparse-autoencoder contractive-autoencoder variational-inference expectation-maximization maximum-likelihood maximum-a-posteriori maximum-entropy Occam's-razor parsimony model-complexity overfitting underfitting bias-variance-tradeoff regularization L1-regularization L2-regularization elastic-net dropout early-stopping batch-normalization layer-normalization group-normalization instance-normalization weight-decay mixup cutout cutmix random-erasing autoaugment fast-autoaugment population-based-augmentation neural-architecture-search automated-machine-learning hyperparameter-optimization grid-search random-search Bayesian-optimization sequential-model-based-optimization multi-fidelity-optimization knowledge-distillation teacher-student-model model-compression quantization knowledge-transfer domain-adaptation few-shot-learning zero-shot-learning one-shot-learning meta-learning learning-to-learn metric-learning siamese-network triplet-loss contrastive-learning self-supervised-learning unsupervised-learning semi-supervised-learning weakly-supervised-learning active-learning online-learning incremental-learning continual-learning lifelong-learning curriculum-learning multi-task-learning multi-modal-learning cross-modal-learning representation-learning feature-learning embedding-learning manifold-learning dimensionality-reduction principal-component-analysis t-SNE UMAP word-embedding sentence-embedding document-embedding knowledge-graph-embedding graph-neural-network graph-convolutional-network graph-attention-network message-passing-neural-network relational-graph-convolutional-network inductive-learning transductive-learning homophily heterophily graph-isomorphism Weisfeiler-Lehman-test subgraph-isomorphism graph-matching network-alignment network-embedding node-embedding edge-embedding graph-classification node-classification link-prediction graph-generation graph-synthesis molecular-generation de-novo-design inverse-design retrosynthesis reaction-prediction property-prediction quantitative-structure-activity-relationship QSAR quantitative-structure-property-relationship QSPR molecular-descriptor fingerprint Morgan-fingerprint extended-connectivity-fingerprint circular-fingerprint atom-pair-fingerprint topological-torsion-fingerprint pharmacophore shape-similarity electrostatic-similarity docking scoring-function binding-affinity-prediction protein-ligand-interaction protein-protein-interaction protein-structure-prediction AlphaFold protein-folding contact-prediction distance-prediction angle-prediction torsion-prediction secondary-structure-prediction tertiary-structure-prediction quaternary-structure-prediction protein-design protein-engineering directed-evolution rational-design computational-design de-novo-protein-design enzyme-design catalytic-antibody ribozyme aptamer DNAzyme synthetic-biology genetic-circuit metabolic-engineering metabolic-flux-analysis flux-balance-analysis genome-scale-metabolic-model dynamic-metabolic-model kinetic-modeling stoichiometric-modeling constraint-based-modeling optimization linear-programming mixed-integer-linear-programming quadratic-programming nonlinear-programming dynamic-programming stochastic-programming robust-optimization multi-objective-optimization Pareto-optimality evolutionary-algorithm genetic-algorithm genetic-programming differential-evolution particle-swarm-optimization ant-colony-optimization simulated-annealing tabu-search variable-neighborhood-search iterated-local-search greedy-randomized-adaptive-search scatter-search path-relinking memetic-algorithm hyper-heuristic metaheuristic local-search neighborhood-search hill-climbing random-walk randomized-search Monte-Carlo-tree-search upper-confidence-bound Thompson-sampling multi-armed-bandit contextual-bandit reinforcement-learning policy-gradient actor-critic Q-learning deep-Q-network policy-iteration value-iteration temporal-difference-learning SARSA expected-SARSA double-Q-learning dueling-Q-network prioritized-experience-replay distributed-reinforcement-learning impala A3C asynchronous-advantage-actor-critic PPO proximal-policy-optimization TRPO trust-region-policy-optimization DDPG deep-deterministic-policy-gradient TD3 twin-delayed-deep-deterministic-policy-gradient SAC soft-actor-critic model-based-reinforcement-learning model-predictive-control guided-policy-search imitation-learning inverse-reinforcement-learning apprenticeship-learning behavior-cloning dataset-aggregation DAgger generative-adversarial-imitation-learning third-person-imitation-learning one-shot-imitation-learning meta-reinforcement-learning hierarchical-reinforcement-learning option skill subgoal intrinsic-motivation curiosity-driven-exploration empowerment information-gain prediction-error novelty-seeking diversity-seeking multi-agent-reinforcement-learning mean-field fictitious-play correlated-equilibrium Nash-equilibrium game-theory mechanism-design auction-theory incentive-design social-choice-theory voting-theory fair-division matching-theory market-design algorithmic-game-theory computational-social-choice computational-complexity NP-completeness NP-hardness approximation-algorithm approximation-ratio inapproximability fixed-parameter-tractability parameterized-complexity kernelization treewidth graph-minor forbidden-minor-characterization well-quasi-ordering Robertson-Seymour-theorem graph-structure-theorem bidimensionality-theory meta-theorem Courcelle's-theorem automata-theory finite-automaton pushdown-automaton Turing-machine computability decidability halting-problem Rice's-theorem Gödel's-incompleteness-theorems lambda-calculus combinatory-logic type-theory proof-theory model-theory set-theory forcing large-cardinal axiom-of-choice continuum-hypothesis independence-result consistency-strength reverse-mathematics constructive-mathematics intuitionistic-logic modal-logic temporal-logic epistemic-logic deontic-logic description-logic ontology knowledge-representation semantic-web linked-data RDF SPARQL OWL knowledge-graph entity-linking relation-extraction event-extraction coreference-resolution named-entity-recognition part-of-speech-tagging dependency-parsing constituency-parsing semantic-parsing natural-language-inference textual-entailment natural-language-generation machine-translation summarization question-answering dialogue-system conversational-AI chatbot virtual-assistant speech-recognition speech-synthesis speaker-recognition emotion-recognition sentiment-analysis opinion-mining aspect-based-sentiment-analysis target-dependent-sentiment-analysis stance-detection rumor-detection fake-news-detection fact-checking claim-verification evidence-retrieval argument-mining persuasion-detection deception-detection personality-prediction mental-health-detection suicide-prevention crisis-intervention social-media-mining network-analysis community-detection influence-maximization information-diffusion cascade-modeling epidemic-modeling SEIR-model SIR-model agent-based-epidemic-model compartmental-model network-epidemic-model metapopulation-epidemic-model spatial-epidemic-model stochastic-epidemic-model branching-process renewal-equation generation-interval serial-interval incubation-period latent-period infectious-period basic-reproduction-number effective-reproduction-number herd-immunity-threshold vaccination-coverage vaccine-efficacy vaccine-effectiveness breakthrough-infection waning-immunity immune-escape variant-of-concern variant-of-interest variant-under-monitoring phylogenetic-analysis molecular-clock-analysis phylodynamics viral-evolution antigenic-drift antigenic-shift zoonotic-spillover reservoir-host intermediate-host amplifying-host dead-end-host vector-borne-disease mosquito-borne-disease tick-borne-disease flea-borne-disease lice-borne-disease midge-borne-disease sandfly-borne-disease tsetse-borne-disease blackfly-borne-disease triatomine-borne-disease kissing-bug Chagas-disease trypanosomiasis leishmaniasis malaria dengue yellow-fever Zika-virus chikungunya West-Nile-virus Japanese-encephalitis tick-borne-encephalitis Lyme-disease Rocky-Mountain-spotted-fever ehlichiosis anaplasmosis babesiosis tularemia plague murine-typhus epidemic-typhus endemic-typhus scrub-typhus Q-fever trench-fever bartonellosis cat-scratch-disease rat-bite-fever leptospirosis brucellosis anthrax melioidosis glanders tularaemia francisellosis coxiellosis rickettsiosis orientia-infection ehrlichiosis neoehrlichiosis neorickettsiosis anaplasmataceae rickettsiaceae coxiellaceae bartonellaceae brucellaceae francisellaceae pasteurellaceae legionellaceae chlamydiaceae mycoplasmataceae ureaplasmataceae spiroplasmataceae achaenoplasmataceae entomoplasmataceae haloplasmataceae tenericutes mollicutes bacteroidetes fusobacteria spirochaetes synergistetes deferribacteres thermotogae aquificae caldiserica caldithrix deferrisoma desulfurobacterium thermovibrio thermocrinis hydrogenobacter sulfurihydrogenibium persephonella hydrogenobaculum hydrothermus thermothrix sulfuricurvum sulfurimonas sulfurovum thiovulum thiomicrospira pseudomonas vibrio aeromonas photobacterium aliivibrio gracilibacillus halobacillus halomonas chromohalobacter cobetia salinicola kushneria halotalea halovibrio salinivibrio thioalkalivibrio thiohalophilus ectothiorhodospira halorhodospira thiorhodospira halochromatium thioflavicoccus marichromatium thiocapsa lamprocystis thiodictyon thiopedia amoebobacter thiocystis chromatium allo-chromatium thermochromatium rhabdochromatium thiobaca thiohalocapsa halocapsa thiolamprovum thioploca thiomargarita beggiatoa methylococcus methylomonas methylomicrobium methylosinus methylocystis methylocella methylocapsa methylacidiphilum verrucomicrobia planctomycetes chlamydiae lentisphaerae kiritimatiellaeota calditrichaeota fervidibacteria
Trichonephila clavata
Jorō spider, Joro Spider, Parachute spider
Trichonephila clavata, commonly known as the Jorō spider, is a large orb-weaving spider native to East Asia that has become established as an invasive species in the southeastern United States since approximately 2010. First confirmed in Georgia in 2014, it has expanded rapidly across multiple states through a combination of ballooning dispersal and human-mediated transport. The species is notable for its substantial size, striking coloration, and extensive golden webs, but poses minimal risk to humans due to small fangs and docile behavior. Its physiological adaptations—including higher metabolic rate, faster heart rate, and greater cold tolerance than its congener Trichonephila clavipes—suggest potential for continued northward range expansion.
invasive-species orb-weaver ballooning urban-wildlife biological-control cold-tolerance startle-response cannibalism kleptoparasitism Japanese-folklore Nephilidae Trichonephila spider-silk range-expansion physiological-adaptation urban-ecology agricultural-pest-predator iNaturalist Georgia Maryland East-Asia United-States spider-bite venom docile non-aggressive web-architecture egg-sac overwintering sexual-dimorphism metabolic-rate heart-rate freeze-tolerance road-ecology prey-capture competition native-spider-impacts public-perception media-sensationalism management pesticide-alternatives broom-removal ornamental structural-pest ornithology cardinal web-strength trophic-interactions DNA-metabarcoding diet-analysis species-distribution-model physiological-entomology behavioral-ecology arachnology ballooning-dispersal human-mediated-dispersal hitchhiker cargo-stowaway port-of-entry climate-change warming northward-expansion DMV Howard-County Elkridge Ilchester West-Elkridge beech-forest secondary-forest suburban roadside telephone-pole streetlamp forest-edge disturbance-tolerance prey-detection vibrational-noise auditory-disturbance motionless freezing shyness Hannibal-Lecter stink-bug lanternfly evolutionary-history ancient-association ecosystem-service biocontrol natural-enemy invasive-pest brown-marmorated-stink-bug spotted-lanternfly Halyomorpha-halys Lycorma-delicatula competitive-exclusion dominant-orb-weaver abundant population-growth rapid-spread range-span 120,000-km2 physiological-plasticity metabolism twice-as-high 77%-higher-heart-rate 74%-freeze-survival development-rate seasonal-window life-cycle-completion thermal-limitation congener-comparison natural-dispersal human-transport iNaturalist-record citizen-science confirmed-sighting breeding-population male-and-female gravid-female egg-case stowaway cargo-container port-introduction local-port vehicle-transport hitchhiking accelerated-arrival several-years natural-means prognostication prediction model suitable-habitat abundant-suitable-habitat eastern-North-America western-North-America potential-range invasive-range potential-impact environmental-impact ecological-impact ecosystem-impact monitor cautious evidence-based reasonable-journalism sensationalism exaggeration uncritical-acceptance harmless carefully-monitored next-steps research-opportunity call-for-research knowledge-gap little-known novel-ecosystem spreading rapidly-expanding invasive-predator invasive-orb-weaver non-native introduced established colonized thriving doing-fine happy merely-20-minutes-away road-trip visit access-spread beech-leaf-disease BLD state-forest remarkable-colony amongst-beech-trees confirmed-prognostication Davis-and-Frick escape-relative-warmth expand-range-northward eastern-seaboard merely-20-minutes-away-from-home resist-opportunity amazing-predators tales-of-arrival previous-episodes 2022 2024 reduce-angst large-non-native-spider establishing-in-DMV facts-presented past-episode venomous-terrible-painful Nah expert-Rick-Hoebeke risks-small puny-fangs unlikely-pierce-skin video completely-non-aggressive eastern-Howard-County haphazard-webs littered-with-remains former-victims leaves shed-exoskeletons much-larger-female dwarfs-mate positioned-just-above strand-of-silk spinnerets underside-of-abdomen near-red-mound relative-to-hand large-and-docile wait-and-see what-Jorō-means-to-ecosystems help-other-spiders put-a-beat-down-on-invasive-pests stink-bugs spotted-lanternflies passive-hunters enormous-webs larger-than-a-meter-in-diameter capture-prey-snared-in-silk arachnophobes-scary arachnophiles-beautiful important-ecosystem-services crop-pests native-range Asia having-an-old-friend-over-for-dinner reunite first-time large-spiders juicy-prey-items feathered-and-non-feathered-reptiles poses-no-known-threat difficult-to-predict-impact non-native-species experts-suggest beyond-scary-mien give-indigenous-large-orb-weavers-run-for-their-money black-and-yellow-garden-spider marbled-orb-weaver spotted-orb-weaver other-parts-of-world most-abundant-and-dominant-orb-weaver what-will-it-mean only-time-will-tell final-tidbit Jorō-shapeshifter Jorō-gumo beautiful-woman seduces-men binds-with-silk devours bad-date acknowledgements Rick-Hoebeke identifying-Jorō insights David-Coyle Bob-Bellinger great-images knowledge studies Veni-vidi-vici Nelsen-et-al.Physiological-evaluation Nephila-clavata-newly-recorded Hoebeke-et-al.Life-Cycle-Habitat-and-Variation Moore Startle-responses Davis-and-Anerao How-Urban-Tolerant-Are-They Davis-et-al.inspiration details stars Dave-Clement Miri-Talabac Maddie-Potter hooked-up-with-colony differentiate resources.ipmcenters.org link Jorō-guru David-Coyle's-take YouTube calm-your-fears Journal-of-Economic-Entomology Journal-of-Medical-Entomology chemical-management-strategies effective-management-methods spider-control-products safe-and-effective unlikely-to-bite generally-harmless big-spiders colorful-spiders invasive-spiders in-your-face-spiders webs-on-homes landscape-plants structures middle-of-where-people-live-work-and-play northern-Georgia-2014 presumed-arrived-few-years-prior 15-years increased-dramatically much-of-Southeast disjunct-populations northeastern-U.S.firestorm-of-interest rapidly-expanding-range southeastern-states many-counties Carolinas Tennessee Oklahoma more-than-a-century parts-of-Florida rarely-Pennsylvania tropics thermal-limitations higher-metabolism faster-heart-rate better-ability-to-tolerate-freezing complete-life-cycle-rapidly chilly-temperatures suite-of-adaptations expand-northward warm-loving-cousin findings-support-potential much-yet-to-be-learned successfully-survive-northern-winters nation-and-world-warm southern-species-expand higher-latitudes-and-altitudes rapidly-range-expansion-will-occur typical-mode-of-dispersal aerial-dispersal ballooning-on-strands-of-silk Charlotte's-babies Charlotte's-Web spectacular-moniker parachute-spider rain-down-from-airplanes long-distance-transit human-assistance good-hitchhikers inseminated-gravid-female egg-case-stowaway arrival-in-DMV several-years-by-natural-means new-introduction-at-local-port human-assist-in-vehicles accelerate-arrival terrible-and-painful small-fangs visited-cousin golden-silk-spider Costa-Rica exceeding-meter-diameter indigenous-large-orb-weavers run-for-their-money minimal-direct-impact firestorm Andrew-Davis Benjamin-Frick University-of-Georgia past-week native-to-eastern-Asia Japan China Korea Taiwan known-in-Georgia-since-2013 spreading-rapidly joined-its-cousin Trichonephila-clavipes established-over-160-years better-tolerate-freezing survive-northern-winters rapidly-range-expansion typical-mode long-distance new-introduction human-assist arachnophobes arachnophiles brown-marmorated-stink-bugs difficult-to-predict scary-mien indigenous-orb-weavers Mary-Nouri Sarah-Morgan WAMU relatively-harmless spider-season fall leaves-changing-color cool-crisp-autumn-air pumpkin-spice extension-entomologist Southeast not-just-spiders 20-feet-wide homes people-live-work-and-play 15-years-or-so influx-of-calls public entomology-extension-programs media-frenzy two-questions get-rid-of-Jorō-spiders are-Jorō-spiders-dangerous Clemson-University Southern-Adventist-University Washington-College Union-College two-new-studies test-methods-for-eliminating how-likely-to-bite harm scoured-internet recommended-treatment-options spider-specific-management-recommendations medically-relevant widow-spiders brown-recluses do-not-enter-homes relatively-new recommended-products labelled-spider-control-products tested-products several-products-eliminate not-legal-pesticides machine-lubricant not-recommended commercially-available strongly-encourage labelled-products easiest-and-cheapest without-chemicals broom-or-stick walked-into-spider-web rode-bike took-spider-to-face not-great-feeling wonder-if-bitey give-bitten-superpowers unique-studies evaluated-behaviors react-to-people rather-drop-off-web hang-around-and-bite really-provoke volunteered-to-get-bitten yes-you-read-correctly akin-to-mosquito-bite little-redness little-swelling largely-gone-next-day no-acquired-superpowers take-home-message twofold simplest-and-most-effective without-pesticides feel-you-need-pesticides product-labeled-for-spider-control try-not-to-freak-out doesn't-want-to-be-on-you odds-of-getting-bitten-extremely-low enjoy-glorious-fall-weather drink-pumpkin-spiced-beverage watch-where-you-walk Keep-calm-and-carry-on bites-unlikely cause-minimal-discomfort associate-professor Department-of-Forestry-and-Environmental-Conservation socials email extension featured pest-management Entomology-Today latest-posts email-subscription March-2022 wondered make-its-way-to-DMV September-2022 two-observations three-years 40-sightings happy-and-doing-just-fine several-Howard-County-locations week-or-so-ago team-of-scientists University mission killing-ultra-valuable-beech-trees thriving-amongst-beech-trees visit-amazing-predators mature-females both-Trichonephila-species three-locally-common-orb-weaving-species time-spent-immobile mild-disturbance brief-puff-of-air air-puff-response-data five-other-North-American-species published-literature 453-observations freezing-behavior 10-spider-species remained-immobile-under-a-minute both-Trichonephila-spiders over-an-hour unprecedented shyest-ever-documented tolerate-urban-environments remaining-motionless fleeing nonsexual-cannibalism mating-activity females-cannibalize-males food-availability territorial-aggression Southeastern-United-States expanding-range shy behavioral-reactions descriptive-observations photo-documentation anecdotal-observations controlled-pairings lab natural-webs field one-female-biting-and-killing-another short-fight similar-size container 25-trials fights-ensued-40%different-sizes 27-trials fights-happened-18%larger-females-not-always-aggressor 52-lab-trials six-bouts 9%direct-killing field-trials empty-web 14-trials one-fight 7%aggressor-killing-and-wrapping silk away-from-any-web not-necessarily-territoriality intraspecific-aggression provoked-or-stressed deserves-more-study newly-invasive biology physiology new-range closely-related-species successfully-established 160-years investigation compare online-records iNaturalist.org seasonal-distributions timing females physiological-traits environmental-tolerance metabolic-rates cardiac-functioning cold-exposure survival brief-below-freezing-temperature shorter-season complete-lifecycle narrow-period suitable-weather inherently-higher-metabolism low-temperature survive-better 74%-compared-to-50%brief-freeze colder-climatic-region southeastern-USA useful-information planning urban-landscapes busy-roads frequent-disturbances auditory-and-vibrational physiological-or-behavioral-changes northeast-Georgia varying-levels-of-road-traffic prey-capture-behavior simulated-prey tuning-fork 128-hz-frequency touched-to-web attacked 357-total-trials 20-different-roads attacked-59%high-variability some-roadsides-over-80%others-less-than-30%small-but-significant-negative-correlation daily-road-traffic spider-attack-rates moderate--to-heavy-traffic-roads slightly-less-likely-to-attack 51%-vs-65%able-to-live-near-roads cost-in-terms-of-prey-capture did-not-weigh-less compensate-for-disturbance accumulating-evidence human-dominated-landscapes aid-spread introduced-range Eriostethus-rufus polysphinctine-ectoparasitoid araneid-spiders Neoscona-spp.endemic-to-Japan Yamagata-Prefecture 38º46'-N northern-Japan northernmost-record genus identification-confirmed morphology DNA-barcoding cocoon large-modified-web unique inverted-triangle over-50-cm hanging-from-ill-defined-part no-organized-structure host-spider circumstantial-evidences structure-of-modified-web pre-existing-web-partly-reused orb-web-completely-removed sustaining-threads-newly-moored parasitises-host-spiders two-subfamilies unusual-for-group invasion-potential known-invasive-range review dispersal-abilities potential-impacts management-strategies October-2022 at-least-120,000-km2 South-Carolina North-Carolina Alabama West-Virginia pattern-of-spread natural-dispersal-mechanisms human-mediated-transport large-bodied-orb-weavers flying-insects small-animals thirteen-co-occurring-spider-species monitored-for-competition resources web-building-sites natural-and-urban-habitats management-options-limited advise-journalists-and-experts against-exaggerating-potential-environmental-impact ecologically-harmless rapid-spread-carefully-monitored cautious-evidence-based-approach determining-next-steps three-material-types web-capture introduced-species alter-established-trophic-interactions molecular-analysis resolve-changes community-structure foraging-links east-coast fecal-samples prey-remains-from-webs dissected-guts compare-diet-composition arthropod-targeted-COI-primers Illumina-MiSeq highest-diversity highest-richness highest-proportion-prey-reads recovery-of-prey-reads dissected-gut-content low overwhelmed-by-Jorō-spider-DNA high-proportions-Jorō-spider-reads higher-prey-diversity-and-richness detected-prey-DNA several-days-after-capture initial-gut-retention-time-estimates first-glimpse complexity-of-trophic-associations introduced-web-building-spider viable-material source-of-prey-DNA estimates-of-biodiversity Jammu-and-Kashmir northernmost-shifting document-presence behavior habitat-adaptation colder-temperature-environment Goha-Tehsil Doda-district 1556.74-meters road-bridge nearby-vegetation brightly-colored-abdomens black green yellow red long-legs yellow-and-black-bandings predominantly-seen smaller fewer unique-behaviors remaining-motionless-after-disturbances 5-10-meters-of-roads adaptation-to-human-settlements field-observations image-documentation expert-confirmation thrive-in-colder-conditions 15-20-degrees-Celsius October-November no-spider-found higher-elevations significantly-lower-temperatures adaptation-limited-to-milder-cold-regions new-insight adaptation need-for-further-research non-native-habitats eggs overwinter harsh-weather-conditions no-protection compact-silk-case milky-coating chorionic-microspheres CM fine-structural-characteristics ecological-importance uneven-size-distribution outer-eggmass evenly-covered single-layer diameter-2.3-µm short-papillary-projections segmental-adhesion mucous-components insoluble-in-water partially-soluble-in-absolute-ethanol spherical-structure HFIP strong-organic-solvent not-derived-from-vitellogenic-or-choriogenetic-processes CM-adhesive-coatings ovipositional-process equivalent-to-cocoon-silk protective-functions silken-eggcase Northern-Cardinal Cardinalis-cardinalis perches steals-food southeast-of-the-United-States questions native-fauna-affected consuming-prey-items example native-species-deriving-benefit manner-of-kleptoparasitism perched-directly-on-web supported-its-weight 42-48-g first-documented-case spider-web-supporting-perching-bird measurements force-gauge typical-webs support-masses-up-to-70-g small-but-growing-body-of-knowledge non-native-spider species-distribution-models ecological-niche-modeling predict-areas establish-if-introduced three-distinct-genetic-lineages mitochondrial-COI genome-wide-SNPs Korean-Peninsula
Zaprionus
Fig Flies
Zaprionus is a genus of fruit flies in the family Drosophilidae, distinguished by conspicuous white longitudinal stripes across the head and thorax. The genus is divided into two subgenera based on stripe number: Zaprionus (even number of stripes) and Anaprionus (odd number of stripes). Species occur primarily in Africa and southern Asia, with several species showing invasive expansion. The genus is taxonomically nested within the paraphyletic genus Drosophila.
Drosophilidae fruit-flies invasive-species zebra-stripes Afrotropical Oriental agricultural-pest fermenting-fruit parasitoid-host kleptoparasitism oviscapt-structure egg-filaments fig-pest grape-pest berry-pest tropical subgenus-Zaprionus subgenus-Anaprionus competitive-displacement secondary-pest monitoring vinegar-trap range-expansion Mediterranean-invasion New-World-invasion Hawaiian-Islands Southeast-Asia West-Africa polyphagous decomposer nutrient-cycling Pachycrepoideus-vindemiae Spalangia-endius Leptopilina-boulardi interspecific-competition developmental-plasticity temperature-effects fungal-interactions Pichia-kudriavzevii Coquillett-1901 taxonomic-revision molecular-phylogenetics foreleg-spines trichome-structures light-polarization cuticular-pigmentation species-groups-armatus-inermis-vittiger-neglectus species-subgroups-armatus-tuberculatus-vrydaghi-montanus-spinosus-inermis-tuberculatus-sepsoides-davidi-indianus-ornatus-proximus-sexvittatus-vittiger species-complexes-armatus-hoplophorus-vrydaghi-sepsoides-tuberculatus-davidi-indianus-ornatus-proximus-sexvittatus-vittiger Z.-africanus Z.-armatus Z.-bogoriensis Z.-burlai Z.-camerounensis Z.-campestris Z.-capensis Z.-cercociliaris Z.-cercus Z.-davidi Z.-enoplomerus Z.-flavofasciatus Z.-fumipennis Z.-gabonicus Z.-ghesquierei Z.-grandis Z.-hoplophorus Z.-inermis Z.-indianus Z.-kolodkinae Z.-koroleu Z.-lachaisei Z.-lineosus Z.-litos Z.-mascariensis Z.-momorticus Z.-montanus Z.-multistriatus Z.-multivittiger Z.-neglectus Z.-niabu Z.-obscuricornis Z.-ornatus Z.-proximus Z.-pyinoolwinensis Z.-santomensis Z.-sepsoides Z.-seguyi Z.-serratus Z.-sexstriatus Z.-sexvittatus Z.-silvistriatus Z.-spinilineosus Z.-spinipes Z.-spinoarmatus Z.-spineus Z.-spinosus Z.-taronus Z.-tsacasi Z.-tuberarmatus Z.-tuberculatus Z.-verruca Z.-vittiger Z.-vrydaghi Z.-aungsani Z.-arduus Z.-badyi Z.-orissaensis