At night, the Australian ant-eating spider lies in wait for passing ants, then launches an attack with agile and swift movements.
The Australian ant-eating spider takes down its prey. (Photo: Alfonso Alceves)
A team of experts at Macquarie University in Australia, along with two colleagues from the University of Hamburg in Germany, discovered how the Australian ant-eating spider (Euryopis umbilicata) captures larger carpenter ants (Camponotus consobrinus). The research was recently published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
For a long time, the scientific community has known that the Australian ant-eating spider preys on carpenter ants. Both species inhabit eucalyptus trees or their surroundings. During the day, the spider hides in the bark, and at night, it emerges to hunt for ants. Carpenter ants climb trees to forage at night. However, until now, experts have been unclear about how this small spider can capture prey nearly twice its size.
In the new study, the scientists used high-speed cameras to record the spider’s hunting trips, later reviewing the footage in slow motion. They discovered that the spider employs several interesting maneuvers to “neutralize” the ants.
The hunting begins with the spider clinging to the tree trunk, waiting for the ants to appear. When an ant is spotted, the spider leaps into the air and uses its hind legs to attach a silk thread to the prey. However, the hunter does not stop there. It immediately performs a somersault over the ant and then hangs underneath, out of the ant’s reach.
Next, the predator begins to circle around the ant, wrapping silk around the creature. Eventually, the ant becomes ensnared, unable to defend itself or move. At this point, the spider climbs onto the ant and injects venom. After the ant dies, the spider carries the prey to a safer location to feast. The research team noted that a crucial factor in the success of the hunt is the spider’s speed—so fast that the ants cannot react.
Of the 60 hunts recorded, the scientists found the spider’s technique to be highly effective, achieving an 87% success rate in capturing ants. This high success rate is necessary, as ants make up about 90% of the spider’s diet. The research team concluded that the attack strategy employed by the Australian ant-eating spider is unique among spider species.
