Bolas-spider
Guides
Mastophora
bolas spiders, American bolas spiders
Mastophora is a genus of orb-weaver spiders in the family Araneidae, commonly known as bolas spiders. These spiders have abandoned the typical orb-web construction of their relatives and instead hunt using a unique method: they produce a single droplet of sticky silk suspended on a thread (the "bolas") and swing it to capture flying prey. Adult females are nocturnal moth specialists that use aggressive chemical mimicry, releasing sex pheromones to attract specific male moth species within range of their bolas. The genus includes 15 species in the United States, with Mastophora cornigera being the only species found in California.
Mastophora cornigera
Southern Bolas Spider
Mastophora cornigera is a bolas spider in the orb-weaver family Araneidae. Adult females are specialized predators that capture male noctuid moths using a single sticky silk droplet suspended from a dragline, rather than constructing a traditional orb web. The species is the only member of its genus found in California. Males and juvenile females lack this hunting adaptation and instead capture prey directly with their legs.
Mastophora hutchinsoni
American bolas spider, Cornfield Bolas Spider
Mastophora hutchinsoni is a bolas spider in the orb-weaver family Araneidae, notable for its highly specialized hunting strategy that abandons the typical orb web in favor of a single adhesive droplet on a silk thread. Adult females use aggressive chemical mimicry to attract male moths by releasing species-specific sex pheromone blends, then capture prey by swinging this 'bolas' at hovering moths. The species exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism, with females developing into large, globular spiders while males remain small and retain juvenile hunting behaviors. It occurs throughout eastern North America and has been extensively studied in Kentucky populations.
Mastophora leucabulba
Mastophora leucabulba is a bolas spider in the orb-weaver family Araneidae. Adult females hunt using a single sticky silk droplet suspended from a dragline rather than building an orb web. Males and juvenile females lack this specialized hunting method and capture prey directly with their legs. The species occurs from the United States to Honduras.
Mastophora phrynosoma
Toadlike Bolas Spider
Mastophora phrynosoma is a bolas spider in the orb-weaver family Araneidae. Adult females hunt without building a web, instead using a single silk line with one or more sticky droplets to capture prey. Males and juvenile females lack this specialized hunting method and capture prey directly with their legs. The species is found in the United States.
Mastophora stowei
Bolas spider
Mastophora stowei is a species of bolas spider in the orb-weaver family Araneidae, described by Herbert W. Levi in 2003. Like other members of the genus Mastophora, this species has abandoned the construction of traditional orb webs in favor of a specialized hunting technique using a single sticky silk globule suspended on a dragline. The species occurs in the United States and is one of approximately 15 Mastophora species found in North America.
Mastophora timuqua
Bolas spider
Mastophora timuqua is an orb-weaver spider in the family Araneidae, notable for its unique hunting strategy. Adult females are bolas spiders that capture prey using sticky silk droplets suspended on a single line rather than constructing a traditional web. The species is known from the United States, with records indicating presence in North America. Like other members of the genus Mastophora, this species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in hunting behavior.
Mastophora yeargani
Yeargan's Bolas Spider
Mastophora yeargani is a bolas spider in the orb-weaver family Araneidae, found in the United States. Adult females are specialized predators that capture prey using a single sticky droplet of silk suspended from a dragline, rather than building an orb web. Males and juvenile females lack this hunting strategy and instead capture prey directly with their legs. The species was described by Levi in 2003 and is one of approximately 15 Mastophora species known from the United States.