Second generation of raft spiders

 

The second egg batch of raft spiders needs a warm autumn

 

 

Raft spiders mate in spring, in May-June. Females usually carry egg cocoons in mid-summer – June-July. In July we can find their „kindergartens“. The female spider weaves a net home among plants for her tiny offspring hatched from the eggs. The young spiders spend their first week in life supervised by the mother and then start an independent life.

Most female raft spiders attempt to bring up two sets of progeny during the summer. Thus we can even now, in autumn, find spiders moving around with an egg cocoon. If autumn is long and warm the raising of a second set will be successful. If cold weather arrives quickly the attempt may fail.