palpal bulbs question

[Nate]

When the male tarantula acquires sperm do palpal bulbs act like syringes (negative pressure) and suck the sperm?

I assume if the answer is yes they do the reverse syringe action (positive pressure) for applying the sperm to the female.

How long before the sperm expires when the palpal bulbs are loaded?

 

[David Burns]

Yes.
Yes.
Long enough.

The male will load his emboli (bulbs) and if he uses them or not, will Load them again and again. I have had males that built many sperm webs without ever being with a female.

Once the mating occurs and the sperm is in the female she can use it at any time until her next molt, sometimes making more than one eggsac. So I don't think it has a set expirery date.