Tegenaria atrica eggsacks

[blix]

One of my my female T. atrica, who I had for about a month, has laid her third eggsack today during that time. How can she keep making them when I haven't introduced her to any male? I'm a bit confused. :confused:

[zonbonzovi]

i don't know about this species in particular, but I've read that some Teneneria sp. can store sperm for a prior fertilization- that would account for the multiple egg sacks. i have T. agrestis & duellica living around my home and am interested in seeing a pic of T. atrica- do you have any?

[jsloan]

Spider eggs are usually fertilized by the male sperm as they are being laid, not before. Sperm is stored separately from the eggs, then mixed with the eggs on their way out of the female's body. Often, the supply of sperm will last through several egg sacs. So, even if a female hasn't mated lately she can still produce and lay fertilized eggs. But, even if she hasn't ever mated with a male, she might still produce an egg sac. The eggs in that sac will be unfertilized, however, and probably won't hatch.

The eggs sacs your spider has produced may or may not have been fertilized. You'll know in a few weeks. :)

[jsloan]

am interested in seeing a pic of T. atrica

Here's one:

http://www.canadianarachnology.org/data/spiders/21197

[ErikWestblom]

I am interested in seeing a pic of T. atrica- do you have any?

And here's a few of my pics:

http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm63/erikwestblom/DSC01577.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm63/erikwestblom/DSC00398.jpg
http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm63/erikwestblom/DSC00419.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm63/erikwestblom/DSC00413.jpg

The one in the last two pics is the same as in pic #2, but freshly molted.