Ant-eating spiders, Zodariidae (representative genus: Zodarion, etc.; also includes some ant-mimicking jumping spiders)

Detailed introduction

Ant-eating spiders generally refer to spiders such as those in the family Zodariidae that have a high degree of preference for or obligation to prey on ants; some jumping spiders (such as the genus Myrmarachne ) are known for their ant mimicry , but not all of them primarily feed on ants.

Ecology and Biology

• Diet and strategy: It preys on worker ants , attacking them repeatedly from the side and back , avoiding their mandibles and stingers.

• Mimicry and camouflage: Several types of chemical mimicry (acquiring/simulating ant-like cutaneous hydrocarbons) and behavioral mimicry (raising forelegs like "antennae").

• Life cycle: Mostly terrestrial , they spin webs or build nests in leaf litter/under rocks, and the female spider often protects the eggs.

Morphology and Recognition

• Body length: commonly 2–12 mm ; slender legs, good at running.

• Body color: brown to black, some with an ant-like body shape (narrowed anterior abdomen, resembling segmentation).

• Eye type: eight-eyed; the structure of the male spider's pedipalps is often of identification value.

Distribution and Habitat

Widely distributed in tropical to temperate zones ; commonly found in leaf litter, grasslands, sandy areas , and crevices under rocks, often overlapping with ant tunnels/nest activity areas.

Conservation and Human Interaction

• Ecological role: As a natural enemy of ants , it helps maintain the balance of invertebrate communities on the ground.

• Safety: Generally of no medical significance to humans, but people are often shy and accidental bites are usually mild.

IUCN: This entry is a general overview of taxa ; most species have not been independently evaluated, and this site marks the general overview entry as not evaluated (NE) .