Bolas Spider (Mastophora cornigera)

Instead of spinning a traditional web, the female Bolas spider creates a single line of silk with a sticky drop of glue at the end, resembling a bolas weapon. She then actively swings this sticky thread at passing moths to snatch them out of the air. It is one of the most remarkable examples of active hunting evolution in the arachnid world.

The spider is able to mimic the exact chemical pheromones produced by female moths to attract their mates. By releasing this specific chemical lure into the air, it tricks male moths into flying directly toward what they think is a receptive female. The spider then essentially fishes the helpless moths out of the dark.

Male Bolas spiders are incredibly tiny compared to the females and do not use the bola hunting strategy at all. Instead of hunting, they survive by stealing insects caught in the webs of other spiders. They use their small size to sneak in and out of dangerous webs undetected.

The female Mastophora cornigera spider has a large, lumpy abdomen that is often colored dark brown, white, or grey, helping it blend in perfectly with tree bark. Because of their odd shape, coloring, and stationary daytime behavior, they are frequently mistaken for bird droppings or snails. This excellent camouflage protects them from predatory birds.