Guiding lights: Foraging responses of juvenile nocturnal orb-web spiders to the presence of artificial light at night

Abstract

The reach of artificial light at night (ALAN) is growing rapidly around the globe, including the increasing use of energy-efficient LED lights. Many studies document the physiological costs of light at night, but far fewer have focused on the potential benefits for nocturnal insectivores and the likely ecological consequences of shifts in predator–prey relationships. We investigated the effects of ALAN on the foraging behaviour and prey capture success in juvenile Australian garden orb-web spiders (Eriophora biapicata). Laboratory experiments demonstrated that juvenile spiders were attracted to LED lights when choosing foraging sites, but prey availability was a stronger cue for remaining in..