Master of Deception – Issue #108

Hello Explorer,
During a walk this past weekend I observed one of the most intriguing behaviours in the animal Kingdom yet. I observed invertebrate interactions that is so fascinating that I just had to share it with you.
While exploring a small piece of marshland and riparian zone around a small dam, I spotted a small jumping spider that looks like an ant. The spider was turning from side to side on the rock it sat on, almost like it was looking for something.

A natal droptail ant (Myrmicaria natalensis) then approached the spider and the spider’s entire posture, movement, and attention changed in a millisecond. It went from being a jumping spider to being an “ant” in the blink of an eye. Lifting its front legs and slightly raising its body, it kept they ant directly in front of it making sure that it doesn’t wonder to close. The ant wandered by continuing on its foraging path blissfully unaware that it just looked a killer in the eyes!
I managed to get a few proper photos of the little spider before, during and after this very interesting interaction. I managed to determine that the species that I had observed was Mexcala elegans, which is known to predate on ants.

It is interactions like these between invertebrate that take sightings to the next level. It often takes a little bit more time and a lot more effort to see them happen, but when you observe it, it will be worth all the effort and time you’ve spent getting to see it. Have you ever witnessed intriguing invertebrate interactions like these before? What invertebrate interactions do you know of that you would like to witness yourself? Do you think studying animal behaviour like this has any practical applications for humans? If so, what might they be?

If you would like to send me a message with your answers, feel free to do so on Instagram or Twitter @abugmanslife or via email to [email protected].