disperse because they are unable to do so successfully. Colony characteristics Colony sizes are small, ranging from 1 to 55 individuals. This suggests that the colonies are the result of one or two females that matured and reproduced. Once the colony is established, females do not leave the web unless it is greatly damaged. The subadult sex ratio is biased towards females with around 1.8 females per male. Anelosimus jabaquara colonies are composed of individuals of the same instar or differing by one molt, except during the overlap of maternal and filial generations. Web structure Web structure is very variable. Webs are usually shaped like a sheet over the branches. The size of the colonial web ranges from 20 cm^2 to 4000 cm^2. The sheet functions as protection from enemies coming from underneath the web. Above the sheet is an area made up of leaves surrounded by loosely spun non-adhesive silk threads, called "the retreat". The spiders commonly hide underneath these leaves during the day. References Spiders of Brazil Theridiidae Spiders described in 1956