Medical Entomology and Zoology
Online ISSN : 2185-5609
Print ISSN : 0424-7086
ISSN-L : 0424-7086
The tolerance of Latrodectus hasseltii (Araneae : Theridiidae) to low temperatures
Ines Tomoco MATSUSEKiyoshi KAMIMURAMasahiro YOSHIDA
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1999 Volume 50 Issue 1 Pages 71-73

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Abstract

The redback spider (Latrodectus hasseltii) collected in Osaka Prefecture tolerated well sub-zero temperatures. Life and death of spiderlings and adults were observed in temperatures varied from 4 to -10.5℃. Among them, the male adults showed the best tolerance, with 50% survival during 30min. at around -10℃, followed by the second-instar spiderlings 30% of which were able to survive 25min. at the same temperature. This indicates the possibility of further expansion and habitation of the redback spider in colder climates in Japan.

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© 1999 The Japan Society of Medical Entomology and Zoology
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