Long-Palped Ant-Mimic Sac Spider: How to Identify -

This mesmerizing species, the Long-palped ant-mimic sac spider, is known to thrive in various habitats, from the ground and beneath logs or rocks to the depths of leaf litter. However, rather than spinning webs like other hunting spiders, the Long-Palped Ant-mimic sac spider stalk their prey on foot. As if that wasn’t enough for them to stand out among their kin, they also mimic carpenter ants by gracefully raising their front legs as antennae!

The long-palped ant-mimic sac spider, known scientifically as Castianeira longipalpa, can be found across the Eastern United States and Pacific Northwest. These tiny black spiders feature at least four white lines trailing along their abdomens — though they are not medically significant in any way.

Long-Palped Ant-Mimic Sac Spider: Description

The long-palped ant mimic sac spider may not resemble ants, but its behavior is unmistakably similar to that of the red-spotted ant mimic spider (C. descripta). If you observe them closely, they can be seen holding their two front legs up in such a way as to appear like six-legged creatures with antennae – an imitation of the ants! The purpose behind this behavior remains mysterious yet; however, it’s thought that these spiders use this technique to get close enough to capture and prey on unsuspecting ants.

Depending on age and sex, a Long-palped ant-mimic spider can display varying features. The abdomen is always black with at least four lateral white or light gray stripes, while the cephalothorax (head area) ranges from black to brown to almost white. Juveniles have entirely translucent brown legs, whereas adults possess two front leg pairs that transition between dark hues near the body and lighter shades toward their ends.

Adult females of the specimen can grow up to a maximum size of 1/2 an inch (13mm), while males and juveniles are much smaller, ranging from 3-6 mm. Colorations for these specimens may include black with white bands, wholly black, or bicolored in both black and brown.

Long-palped ant-mimic spider does not make a web.

Unlike other Corinnidae species, the long-palped ant mimic sac spider does not create a web to capture prey. Instead, this arachnid actively hunts for ants and other insects. However, it does use its silk-producing capabilities by spinning egg sacs to protect its eggs and build nests where it can house these cocoons.

Long-palped ant-mimic sac spider: Dangerous?

Long-palped ant-mimic sac spider is a speedy spiders, and their speed can be misinterpreted as aggression. In truth, they usually flee when confronted by larger humans or animals. Bites are incredibly uncommon due to their size; however, if one were to occur, the symptoms would likely consist of minor localized distress like swelling or pain comparable to a bee sting.