Phantom egg or egg just came late from wild caught female Audax?

[CutThroat Kid]

Hi all,

So about 5-ish weeks ago I caught a large Audax female in a friend's new shop garage. I was excited because I wanted a mature female to possibly attempt pairing with my juvi-male once it matures. The only thing is, I came back from a weekend trip to an egg sack up top. Now, I had my suspicions she was gravid--she wasn't the most active, didn't bother with a webbing too much until laying the egg, and would never turn down a meal--but it was my understanding that a P. Audax lays their egg within about two weeks of fertilization. I've heard spiders can delay things like molting or laying an egg until they are comfortable in their habitat, so I'm wondering if that could be what's happened here? Or, if it is more likely an unfertilized 'phantom' egg? (I've read mixed testimony about jumpers and 'phantom eggs' whether or not it something they actually do. It may just be that I need to do some more independent research because I'm obviously a bit behind). I'm busy at work right now, so I would love to hear the AB member's informed theories in the meantime!

Not noticing it at first, I accidentally disturbed the sac a bit when I went to fill her water cap; I didn't destroy the cocoon, but she was obviously pissed I stretched it out a little. there was a seal in the lid of the jar she webbed the sac to, so I just pushed it down into the jar and it worked out nicely with her and the sac between it and the jar side wall, so I am hoping I didn't disturb the sac too much making that adjustment. The way it is now, it's pretty protected, so I'm just going to leave her alone for a week. Also, if there are any know issues that come with a delayed sac, please drop that knowledge here.

Also, on the likely chance that it's fertile, any out of the obvious pro tips for raising such small spiderlings are appreciated. Obviously, a different game than raising T slings!

Will post pics soon!

- CutThroat

 

[egyptiancrow]

To know if she is possibly fertile, you need to see if she is fully matured.
This photo is from here:

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For future reference, an already mature wc female is 99% fertile already, she wont mate with your male and might even attempt to eat him. ESPECIALLY audax. They will not mate with another male most of the time. they retain sperm until they run out, she might lay up to 6 egg sacs. To mate a male, you need a non-matured female

I dont know who told you they lay in 2 weeks, but thats wrong. They can choose to lay in a week, or in months.
Within the group i linked theres tons of resources including how to raise spiderlings, too. its honestly a lot to retype out so i recommend to check it out

 

[CutThroat Kid]

I figured it was most likely fertile. Still, would be interesting if it was a phantom egg.

she wont mate with your male and might even attempt to eat him.

Yeah, once he found out she already had kids he told me to cancel his date. Lol, I mentioned my male is still juvenile, so it's not like I would have been able to pair them yet anyway I believe.

they retain sperm until they run out, she might lay up to 6 egg sacs.

That's awesome. Hopefully she doesn't do me like that though, lol. I'm happy with one egg as a first timer.

I dont know who told you they lay in 2 weeks, but thats wrong. They can choose to lay in a week, or in months.
Within the group i linked theres tons of resources including how to raise spiderlings, too. its honestly a lot to retype out so i recommend to check it out

Well, I think I probably did some light research on mature females back around the time I found her and got the 'roughly two weeks' estimate. And after having her in captivity for almost a month and a half, I think the thought that I might get an egg kind of left my mind. For the experience, I've been caring for some other species of seasonal true spiders that I'm not all too familiar with yet either, so my focus has been all over. It's been fun tho.

Thanks for the information; I'm still a big noob with inverts sometimes.

 

[egyptiancrow]

Thanks for the information; I'm still a big noob with inverts sometimes.

no worries! glad to answer any qs if you have any.

if they are fertile, depending on which egg sac this is for her (if you caught her early, it might be the first one, if you didnt, it might be her last for example) it might be 200 babies or very few. but on average 50% will perish in a couple instars. but, in a good healthy batch many will make it.