These colonial webs of M. incrassata are prone to invasion by kleptoparasitic (prey theft) and araneophagic spiders such as the Theridiidae family.

Larger, fertile females with egg sacs prefer to reside in the central area of the group for increased protection from predators, while the younger spiders are mostly found in peripheral positions.

[5] Unlike the rest of Araneidae, the spiders of the American genus Metepeira are noted for their unique light eye region, white median line on their sternum, relative length of the leg segments, small male palpus (appendages of chelicerates), and the weakly sclerotized (hardened) epigynum in females.

[6] Metepeira incrassata possess a distinctive internal organ called coxal glands, a structure known to be present in select arthropods for the collection and excretion of urine.

Dimorphism is typically more prevalent in spiders who have to search for widely distributed females and consequently face a higher male mortality rate.

Specifically, it has been located in Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, where there is a plethora of insects and pleasant weather all year round, with the temperature only fluctuating between 20-32 °C daily.

[8] The responsibility of guarding these egg sacs is a huge risk for M. incrassata, and the egg-sac predators such as Arachnidomyia lindae serve as a significant cause of mortality of M.

[9] However, this cost is often offset by higher foraging success found in bigger groups, as well as enhanced level of protection per individual.

[7] It uses vibration to detect prey and communicate, and the average reaction distance of M. incrassata is seen to increase with greater colony size.

[7] Most importantly, M. incrassata uses the ‘early warning system’ that detects the web-borne vibrations from the predators and the evasive behavior of other spiders to perceive danger.

[5] On top of protection against the predators, the orb webs of M. incrassata are also used for foraging, breeding, attaching egg sacs, and interacting with neighbors.

With its ability to detect and distinguish between airborne and web-born vibrations, M. incrassata may be able to sense predators by wingbeat frequency with the aid of interconnected silk webbing networks.

In particular, M. incrassata exhibits egg defense behaviors against predatory fly Arachnidomyia lindae by recognizing the wingbeat frequency of the predator.

[8] In guarding their egg sacs against A. lindae, M. incrassata is seen to adopt a counterploy behavior where they cut the signal line connecting the egg-sac and the hub of the orb-web.