Millions of species roam the South American rainforests, but that abundance means it can prove difficult to find food. So, some animals have developed interesting strategies to survive – one of them being the tiny Argyrodes spider.
- It looks like a spider and moves like a spider, but this is no spider – instead it's an evolutionary nightmare. Watch the deadly reptile killer in action
- This ruthless spider constructs a trap that catapults prey into its web at astonishing speeds
Spider webs are abundant in this forest – and one of the biggest ones, measuring a whopping 1.8m across, houses the Nephila spider. These spiders are huge, with legs that can span 15cm. Also called golden orb-weavers, members of this genus have even been recorded killing and consuming a 0.5m-long brown tree snake.
But the Nephila spider in a clip from the 1990 BBC TV series The Trials of Life is not that ambitious – a fly has unfortunately encountered its intricate web, and so it’s time for a meal.
“She rapidly injects the fly with a venom that will liquify the contents of its body. She then wraps it up with silk, and parks it on the web to allow the venom to take its effect,” narrates Attenborough.
But someone else has entered the web. The tiny Argyrodes spider is much smaller than even the fly currently being munched on. This tiny insect could easily meet the same fate. But it’s daring – and hungry.
“With what seems like suicidal recklessness, she approaches Nephila still feasting on her prey. And she too begins to eat food that Nephila not only caught but has conveniently pre-digested,” says Attenborough.
Suddenly, another fly has met its end in the Nephila’s web. The big spider retreats to repeat the steps – it stabs the fly and carries it away to hang on the side of the web for later.
The tiny Argyrodes spider takes advantage of this situation – it pulls at the web filaments to figure out the exact position of the new catch, and once the Nephila has returned to finish her first meal, the heist can begin.
The tiny arachnid runs a line from the top of the web to the trapped fly and cuts it loose. Then it lowers it down. Once the fly is free, the Argyrodes needs to get it away somewhere safe.
“Step by step, she heaves it up. Her theft is complete,” concludes Attenborough.
Top image: banded-legged golden orb-web spider (Nephila senegalensis). Credit: Emily Tubbesing/Getty Images
