Matriphagy
Videos
Matriphagy is the consumption of the mother by her offspring. The behavior generally takes place within the first few weeks of life and has been documented in some species of insects, nematode worms,
Desert spider, Stegodyphus lineatus, one of the best-described species that participates in matriphagy
This black lace-weaver (Amaurobius ferox) female adult will eventually be consumed by her offspring.
A group of pseudoscorpion (Paratemnoides nidificator) adults, the females of which will eventually be subject to matriphagy
Funnel-web spider (Coelotes terrestris)
Amaurobius ferox
Videos
Amaurobius ferox, sometimes known as the black lace-weaver, is a common nocturnal spider belonging to the family Amaurobiidae and genus Amaurobius. Its genus includes three subsocial species, A. fenes
Matriphagy
…in the population. In other arachnid species, matriphagy occurs after the ingestion of nutritional eggs known as trophic eggs (e.g. Black lace-weaver Amaurobius ferox, crab spider Australomisidia ergandros). It involves different techniques for killing the mother, such as transfer of poison via biting and sucking to…
Black Lace Weaver
Male