Unusual-foraging-strategy

Guides

• 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.

  AraneaeAraneidaebolas-spiderMastophorapredatory-spidersexual-dimorphismunusual-foraging-strategyUnited-StatesNorth-Americaorb-weaversit-and-wait-predatorpheromone-mimicry-(congener)