Scientists Discover a Spider That Catapults Ants Into Its Web
3 Articles
3 Articles
Biomechanical analysis shows the functioning of a silk trap that acts as a high power spring
Scientists Discover a Spider That Catapults Ants Into Its Web
This nocturnal rainforest spider has evolved an unusually specialized hunting strategy, using a silk-powered snare to target a single ant species and launch its prey into the air with remarkable speed and force. In the rainforest near Cooktown, a green tree ant can trigger its own ambush. The ant bites what looks like a small [...]
Researchers have identified a new species of spider, called a ballista, that uses an innovative trap to capture ants. The study, published in the journal Current Biology, reveals the complexity of this spider's hunting mechanism, which specializes in a single type of prey. Ballista spider hunting strategy: The ballista spider (genus Propostira) waits for the approach of the green ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) in a trap that activates when the prey…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center, 50% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
