UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Understanding the relationship between vegetation structure and the behavioral ecology of web-building spiders is vital for predicting habitat selection and foraging efficiency. The present study deals with different vegetation categories that influence the web architecture, spatial distribution, and foraging success of the tent-web spider, Cyrtophora cicatrosa. Research was conducted within the botanical garden of G.S.G. Mahavidyalaya in Umarkhed, Yavatmal, Maharashtra. Located at 19.59° N and 77.71° E, the study site sits at an elevation of approximately 300–350 meters (980–1,150 feet) above sea level. This altitude is characteristic of the Deccan Plateau region, which encompasses the area. Over a five-month period from July 2025 to November 2025, 142 active webs were monitored across two distinct study sites. The sampling focused on five primary vegetation types: dense shrubs, medium-height bushes, small trees, ornamental garden plants, and sparse vegetation. Data collection involved quantifying web placement metrics (height, diameter, and attachment points), vegetation complexity, inter-web spacing, microclimatic variables, and prey capture rates. Statistical analysis indicates that vegetation type significantly dictates the structural characteristics and spatial arrangement of C. cicatrosa webs. The highest web densities and superior prey capture rates were recorded in dense shrubs and medium-height bushes. These findings are directly attributed to the high structural complexity of these plant types, which provide numerous stable attachment points and optimal microclimatic conditions for web maintenance and prey interception. In contrast, sparse vegetation and ornamental plants supported fewer webs with lower foraging returns. The study concludes that the physical architecture of vegetation, alongside localized microclimatic factors, serves as a primary driver for the distribution and abundance of C. cicatrosa. These results highlight the importance of maintaining structural diversity within botanical habitats to support spider populations, which play a critical role as natural pest controllers. This research provides foundational data for future ecological modeling of spider-habitat interactions in semi-arid regions of Maharashtra.