The giant wood spiders or Golden silk orb-weavers are among the largest spiders with extreme sexual dimorphism with females being much larger than males. Males are at high risk as sexual cannibalism is prevalent especially during mating. In response, males go through elaborate courtship displays that cost them energy & potential life. Competition among males adds more complexity to the mating. The study investigates alternative mating tactics in a web-building spider (Nephila pilipes) used by males to maximize their chance of mating with females when they are feeding while avoiding predation risk & ensuring reproductive success.

To study opportunistic mating in spiders, we monitored females of the spider Nephila pilipes during feeding stage. Male behaviour was recorded when approaching & copulating with female. The event was photographed in an attempt to illustrate this adaptive strategy Also the timing in observation of males & females were recorded to evaluate predation risk & opportunities for mating success.