Forest-floor-spider

Guides

• Castianeira cingulata

  twobanded antmimic, two-banded ant-mimic sac spider

  Castianeira cingulata is a small ant-mimicking spider in the family Corinnidae, commonly known as the twobanded antmimic. Females measure 7–8 mm in body length, males 6–7 mm. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry of carpenter ants through coloration, body shape, and behavioral displays including bobbing movements and foreleg waving that simulates antennae. It inhabits woodland leaf litter across eastern North America, where it hunts insect prey.

  ant-mimicryBatesian-mimicryleaf-litter-predatorCorinnidaeeastern-North-Americaforest-floor-spiderharmless-to-humansoverwintering-in-silk-sacksdiurnal-and-nocturnalslow-deliberate-movementforeleg-waving-displaysmall-size-6-8mmtwo-pale-abdominal-bandscarpenter-ant-mimicwoodland-habitatactive-hunternon-web-building-spidersilken-retreat-constructionpotential-multi-year-lifespan-in-southwandering-behavior-brings-indoors