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Watch: the spider that catapults ants into its web

Scientists discovered a new spider species in Queensland that builds a silk cone trap. This mechanism catapults aggressive green tree ants into a web located above the snare. The spider evolved this method to safely capture a single species of fierce prey.

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What changed

Researchers identified a new Australian spider species that uses a ballista-style catapult web.

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  1. Australian Ballista Spider Uses Spring-Loaded Trap to Hunt Ants

    Scientists discovered a new spider species in Queensland that builds a silk cone trap. This mechanism catapults aggressive green tree ants into a web located above the snare. The spider evolved this method to safely capture a single species of fierce prey.

    What's confirmed:

    • The ballista spider is a newly described species found in the rainforests of Queensland, Australia.
    • This spider builds a spring-loaded snare trap to catapult prey into its web.
    • The spider specifically targets and feeds on aggressive green tree ants.
    • The trap uses a silk cone to fling ants into the air.
    • The spider's main web is positioned above the spring-loaded trap.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The spider builds a four-hour silk catapult.
    confidence 95%