What is the term for each period between molts during juvenile growth for spiders like Argiope aurantia?
Answer
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As the young spiders, referred to as spiderlings or juveniles, begin growing rapidly after dispersal, they must periodically shed their rigid, external skin to allow for an increase in body size. This shedding process is known as molting. Each distinct growth stage that occurs between successive molts is specifically termed an instar. For the Yellow Garden Spider, they undergo several of these instars throughout the summer months as they practice hunting skills and develop their adult coloration before reaching sexual maturity.
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