Sneaky Orb-Weaver Spiders Use Male Fireflies To Lure More Prey

Shariqua Ahmed
Tue, 15 Oct 2024 09:46:40 -0700

In the wild, animals frequently use deceptive tactics to survive. For instance, some wasps turn spiders into "zombie" slaves to build intricate nests. Similarly, mouse-eared bats mimic hornet buzzes to avoid being preyed upon by owls. Now, a new study reveals that a crafty orb-weaver spider species has found a way to manipulate the mating signals of male fireflies to catch more prey.