Sexual maturity

[JakubV]

Hi, are the females of huntsman spiders sexually mature before they are fully grown?

 

[lucanidae]

No, they become mature with their last molt. The only size that can change after that is how fat their abdomen is. You'll know when they are mature because the epigyinum will become dark and sclerotized. Sometimes pen-ultimate females will have dark epigyina so take a close look to make sure it has two holes in it.

 

[JakubV]

Thanks, I have both sexes of T. modesta of similar size (approx. 2cm body length), and the male has very swollen palps (maybe he is an adult).

So the male won´t probably live long enough to mate with her, will he?

 

[cacoseraph]

males of many true spiders gain swollen palps before their ultimate/maturing molt

i am not sure about T. modesta but i wouldn't be surprised if they start swelling a molt or two before they are mature