Geographical inositol content variation in the house spider, <I>Parasteatoda tepidariorum</I> (Araneae: Theridiidae)

Little is known about the geographical polyol content variation of overwintering spiders. Therefore, the accumulation patterns of two possible cryoprotectants—scyllo-inositol and myo-inositol—in diapausing nymphs of the house spider, Parasteatoda tepidariorum, were compared between subtropical and cool-temperate populations. Inositol content was consistently lower in the subtropical than in the cool-temperate population. The inter-population differences in inositol content were likely due to differences in their winter habitat temperatures.