The importance of thermal factors for nest-site selection, web construction and behaviour of Stegodyphus lineatus (Araneae: Eresidae) in the Negev desert

Abstract 1. 1. We examined the thermal buffering effects of site selection and web structure of a diurnal desert-dwelling spider, Stegodyphus lineatus . 2. 2. The spider's light colour and some of its microhabitats are thermally advantageous during heat. 3. 3. Spiders construct hot, dense nests on the hottest side of shrubs, indicating the overriding importance of predator avoidance and prey capture. 4. 4. Spiders respond to high nest temperatures by moving to the cooler entrance. 5. 5. S. lineatus are heat-tolerant and capture prey more quickly during heat.