The red-spotted ant mimic spider has got its name because it mimics the ant by walking on six legs, and using the front pair of legs as antennas, much like ants. This method dupes the ants as they think the spider is one of them and let it roam around them. The spider hunts down the ants subsequently.
Size: The female spiders are 0.20-0.39 inches (0.5-1cm), while males are smaller.
Color: They have a black body, reddish-brown abdomen, and black legs, and a white line running through the center of their carapace.
Other Characteristic Features: The legs appear hairy and glossy.
Female spiders produce silk sac for their eggs, and after wrapping all of them inside, the sac is either attached to nearby stones or rocks.
They overwinter and generally hatch in spring and are on their own since the beginning.
No specific information is found as far as the web for hunting is concerned, but they make silken sacs near ant colonies where they rest.
They have venom that is only effective on small prey and not on humans. These spiders may bite if provoked, that is not more than a bee-sting.
| Distribution | Canada and the United States |
| Habitat | Shrubs, woods, parks, and stones |
| Diet | Ants and small insects |
| IUCN Conservation Status | Not Listed |
Image Credits: Usaspiders.com, Spiderzrule.com
The red-spotted ant mimic spider has got its name because it mimics the ant by walking on six legs, and using the front pair of legs as antennas, much like ants. This method dupes the ants as they think the spider is one of them and let it roam around them. The spider hunts down the ants subsequently.
Size: The female spiders are 0.20-0.39 inches (0.5-1cm), while males are smaller.
Color: They have a black body, reddish-brown abdomen, and black legs, and a white line running through the center of their carapace.
Other Characteristic Features: The legs appear hairy and glossy.
Female spiders produce silk sac for their eggs, and after wrapping all of them inside, the sac is either attached to nearby stones or rocks.
They overwinter and generally hatch in spring and are on their own since the beginning.
No specific information is found as far as the web for hunting is concerned, but they make silken sacs near ant colonies where they rest.
They have venom that is only effective on small prey and not on humans. These spiders may bite if provoked, that is not more than a bee-sting.
| Distribution | Canada and the United States |
| Habitat | Shrubs, woods, parks, and stones |
| Diet | Ants and small insects |
| IUCN Conservation Status | Not Listed |
Image Credits: Usaspiders.com, Spiderzrule.com
Sahana Kanjilal on June 12, 2019.
Dr. Watuwa James
© 2023 (Spider Identifications). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
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