Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/451

Rh when one thinks that an intelligent insect like the Bee is apparently unable to find a weak spot in the less efficient armour of the Cetoniid Hoplostomus fuligineus, Ol., when it enters her hive to rifle the honey. But it would take quite a long list to enumerate all the species of Coleoptera which I have found dead in the nests of these rapacious creatures, for in truth "all is fish that comes to their net," even though it be the evil-smelling Lycus or the caustic Mylabris. To illustrate the strength of the silk, I might mention the capture of such powerful Beetles as Copris, Catharsius, and the large Bolboceras panza, Pér.; moreover, our large Migratory Locust (Acridium purpuriferum, Walk.) is, I am pleased to say, occasionally to be found in the larder, and anyone who has received a kick on the finger from the spiny leg of this objectionable insect will realise that it would take something pretty strong in the way of Spider's silk to secure him.

At one time I had thought these Spiders never entirely nocturnal in their habits, and so far as the construction of their snares is concerned they are no doubt crepuscular, like most Spiders of procryptic colouring. But I find they are by no means loth to emerge in broad daylight to capture their prey; and when a luckless Beetle becomes enmeshed, two or three rapidly rush out and tackle it, keeping as much beneath it as possible, apparently to prevent any attack from above. Should the insect be too large for them, other Spiders come out to assist, and it is hauled off with all speed under shelter, no attempt being made to bind it up in any way as the geometric Spiders do. Judging by the position of the dead bodies of their prey, it is probable that at night many are devoured in situ, but even then the majority must be carried inside the nest.

The eggs are usually laid about February or March, being placed in small flat circular cocoons of a yellow colour. The young Spiders are much more rotund in appearance than their parents, and of a yellow colour. In the early winter the nests may be noticed to fall considerably into disrepair, and the damaged snares are no longer mended, and eventually disappear. On investigation I found this to be due to the fact that about this time the older generation dies off entirely, the nests then being found to contain only young Spiders. The dead bodies of