Image of an accurate ant-mimicking spider (Myrmarachne macleayana, left) and putative ant model (Polyrhachis robsoni, right). Spiders are just as good at mimicking ants as other insects are.

On top of that, red-headed spider ants taste like rotten coconut or bad cheese. These birds take a hard pass. Upon closer inspection, the disguise doesn’t really hold up.

The authors concluded that this species of jumping spider relies on a combination of imperfect ant mimicry and coloration camouflage to ward off predators. DOI: iScience, 2023. 10.1016/j.isci.2023 ...

Research uncovers a rare resin fossil find: A spider that aspires to be an ant Date: March 22, 2024 Source: Oregon State University Summary: Spiders that disguise themselves as ants live in many ...

A recent Peking University study observes a jumping spider’s unlikely story of survival — by copycatting the movements of ants (with some flaws). Advanced Search Home ...