Specialized-hunting

Guides

• Euryopis californica

  Euryopis californica is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, notable for its highly specialized ant-hunting behavior. Unlike most theridiids that construct tangled webs to capture prey, this species is an active predator that specifically targets harvester ants. It has been documented as a predator of Veromessor pergandei, employing unique hunting tactics to overcome the formidable defenses of these aggressive ants. The species occurs in the United States and Mexico.

  spidertheridiidaeant-predatorspecialized-huntingharvester-antveromessor-pergandeiactive-predatorno-websmall-sizeantipredator-behaviortapping-detectionrear-attack-strategy

• 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.

  bolas-spideraggressive-mimicrypheromone-mimicrynocturnal-predatorAraneidaespecialized-hunting