Stressed male spiders resort to empty 'take-out containers' for mating

Male spiders of the species Paratrechalea ornata in South America have been observed offering worthless gifts, such as a ball of silk or leftover insect parts, instead of nutritious meals to females during mating rituals in stressful environmental conditions. A study comparing two habitats in Uruguay found that males in the more stressful and unpredictable climate were more likely to offer worthless gifts, possibly due to the scarcity of food and the need for survival. This behavior highlights how spiders adapt their mating behavior to reflect changes in their environment.