Research
Dr. Craig S. Hieber


Research Background and Interests

 ~ My background encompasses the ecology, behavior,physiology, and evolution of terrestrial arthropods. I am primarilyinterested in how spiders solve the everyday problems that they facewithin their respective habitats. My research has focused primarily in theareas of Behavioral and Physiological Ecology, and includes or hasincluded work on mating and reproductive strategies (in flies andspiders), parasite foraging, anti-predator strategies, host-parasiteinteractions, cocoon architecture, and evolution and adaptation. I have anumber of publications relatingto these interests.

Current Research

 ~ I am currently involved (1986 to present)in a number of research projects, and my senior research students are engaged in various parts of these. These projects include:

  • a study (started inthe Fall of 1995) on the distribution and abundance of ground dwellingspiders (and other predaceousarthropods) in the various habitats on campus.
  • studies using the spiderAchaearanea tepidariorum with regard to:
    • decision making in locating and giving up patches;
    • the relationship between preydecline and alteration of metabolic rate;
    • the cues used by spiders to locate suitable prey sites.
  • on going collaborative writingwith Dr.George W. Uetz, University of Cincinnati. George and I are currentlywriting and submitting articles to journals from the nine years ofcollaborative research we did in Mexico (see below).

Past Research Experience

  • MEXICO, 1985-94: Research on the relationship between colony size and parasitoid load intwo species of colonial Metepeira spiders; on the relationshipbetween the spider Metepeira incrassata (Araneidae) and itsdipteran cocoon predator Arachnidomyia lindae; onattack-abatement mechanisms in colonial spiders; on the hymenopteranpredators of Metepeira incrassata, and on the costs andbenefits of group living.
  • FLORIDA, 1979-85: Researchon spider cocoon architecture and cocoon predators; on dipteran matingstrategies; on the use of chemical mimicry by spiders; on specializedspider webs.
  • COSTA RICA, 1981: Organization for Tropical Studies course: "Tropical Biology: An EcologicalApproach".
  • NORTH DAKOTA, 1977-79: Research on web orientation in the orb-weaving spiders Araneusdiadematus and A. gemmoides.
  • ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, andMEXICO (Sonoran Desert), 1975: Roanoke College Course, "DesertEcology".
  • Parasitic HymenopteranTraining Session IV, 1983: Maryland Center for Systematic Entomology,University of Maryland.

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