Red-Spotted Ant Mimic Spider: How to Identify


The Red-spotted ant mimic spider (Castianeira descripta) gets its common name from the similar look and behavior to ants. To launch an assault, it mimics the behavior of ants to gain proximity.

Red-Spotted Mimic spider
Red-Spotted ant mimic spider. Joe Lapp, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/arachnojoe/7005439464/

Red-Spotted Ant Mimic Spider Description

On average, female red-spotted ant mimic spiders reach a length of half an inch, while the males tend to be smaller.

The Red Spotted Ant Mimic Spider is a hunting spider. The red-spotted ant mimic spider chooses to hunt in its unique way, roaming around and searching for food instead of using a web.

To further increase the chances of catching prey, it displays peculiar behavior – lifting two front legs while continually twitching them in an appearance that mimics an actual six-legged ant with antennae. This clever tactic is believed to help get closer to potential meals without arousing suspicion before pouncing on their unsuspecting victims.

No webs are built, and the bite of the red-spotted ant mimic spider is harmless to humans.

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Dennis V. Gilmore Jr.

Dennis V. Gilmore Jr. is a former Marine Sergeant and the author of several books, including two on night hunting coyotes and red and gray fox. He has written several hundred articles on predator hunting for ThePredatorHunter.com.

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