A new study reports that scientists have recorded nocturnal spiders using fireflies as bait to attract prey with their webs.
Scientists from Donghai University studied the behavior of the spider Psechrus Clavis, which catches fireflies using their bioluminescent glow. The spiders also regularly checked the insects they caught when they returned to them.
To confirm the hypothesis about the new hunting tactic, the researchers conducted an experiment with LED lights that imitated fireflies to assess their effect on the effectiveness of catching prey.
Data published in the Journal of Animal Ecology showed that illuminated nets attracted three times more prey, and the number of fireflies caught in such nets exceeded the number of normal ones by 10 times.
“Our work reveals a previously unexplored interaction: firefly signals that serve as sexual communication also provide benefits to spiders. This discovery expands our understanding of how sedentary nocturnal predators overcome the challenges of luring prey, and offers new insights into the complexities of predator-prey relationships,” said study leader Dr. Yi-Ming Zuo.
Scientists speculate that spiders developed bioluminescent features during evolution because leaf-weaving spiders typically hunt in the dark, waiting for prey.
“The diversity of prey processing methods indicates that the spider is able to recognize the types of captured organisms through specific signals and select an appropriate strategy,” Zuo explained. “We believe that the bioluminescent signals of fireflies serve as recognition signals, which helps the spiders adapt their hunting behavior.”
Sourse: www.upi.com
