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Spider Decoy Games

July 14th, 2009 Posted in Spiders & Other Arachnids

Spiders are quite the sneaky little creatures. They hide in the most discreet places and can spin webs just about anywhere. But now, they have a whole new way to keep out of harms way. The Cyclosa mulmeinensis spiders are being studied, because they are the only creature known to make life-size replicas of themselves as decoys to keep away attackers.

Many animals try decoys in order to divert attackers, whether it be the lizard that detaches its tail once it is picked up or the peppered moth blending its wings into the background, animals are often equipped to take themselves out of harms path, one way or another. Others use the distraction method rather than one of disguise, but either way, they are only trying to save themselves.

Other types of spiders will decorate their webs with types of ornamentation in hopes of attracting the predator, in hopes of redirecting them, perhaps for an attack on the predator. These other spiders, the Cyclosa confusa, for example, use plant parts, egg sacs, and prey remains to lure the predator to their web, and then launch their own attack. This only works due to the fact that these ornaments often look like the spider itself. One would think that fewer predators would be attracted to this web, but in actuality, even more are attracted. This proves to be a successful safety scheme.

As far as the Cyclosa mulmeinensis spiders are concerned, they use another method of self-defense. These spiders use dead insect prey and egg sacs to make life-like replicas of themselves in the webs. These replicas also take light and appear the same color to the wasps (the primary predator), and cause the wasps to go after these webs. The decoys work, and the wasps attack the decoys instead.

Interestlingly enough, the benefit of getting away from the wasps on the spider’s behalf really outweighs the cost of increased predator detection of the web. They use this device to be anti-predator rather than camouflage themselves. Spiders will always be known to decorate their webs, but as we now know, they all do it for different reasons.

However, no matter what type of spider it is, no one wants these creatures all over their house. To get rid of spiders and other household bugs safely, use EcoSMART Ant and Roach Killer, the safe alternative pesticide.

Kyra Pritchard