Breeding behaviour of Dolomedes spiders

[Dave Houston]

Does anyone have any information on the breeding behaviour of Dolomedes spiders?  Two questions I need to answer;

• Is the presence of the female necessary to open the nursery web (i.e. can the spiderlings get out without her)?
• Does the female die soon after the spiderlings leave the nursery web?

Any opinions/references appreciated.

[Dave Houston]

Although the first edition of Forster & Forster's book on NZ Spiders states that it is thought the female releases the spiderlings, the later edition casts doubt on this and points out that the webs usually are riddled with small holes and that growing shoots often push through them by the time the spiderlings leave.

Still don't have an answer for the second question.