Olfactory cues from conspecifics inhibit the web-invasion behavior of Portia, web-invading araneophagic jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae)
Portia is a genus of web-invading araneophagic spiders that use aggressive mimicry to capture their spider prey. In an experimental study, we demonstrate that adult females of Portia africana, P. fimbriata, P. labiata, and P. schultzi produce olfactory cues that affect the behavior of conspecific adult males, adult females, and juveniles. The olfactory cues of Portia spp. inhibit aggressive mimicry of conspecific spiders that are on a prey spider's web even if the prey spider is visible. This inhibition occurs regardless of the prey spider's web geometry. Prey pursuit by Portia is also inhibited when conspecific females provide olfactory cues in cases where the prey is a spider inhabiting a web. Olfactory cues from adult females elicit courtship displays of conspecific males when males are on the prey spider's web. Portia spp. do not alter their behavior when exposed to olfactory cues of heterospecifics.