Smart Spider Builds Fake Spiders

Stumble across this in the woods and you might take a jump backwards, I know I would.

But don't be fooled, this is not a real spider it's a decoy, built by another spider!



Fabricated from twigs, leaves, debris, and dead insects.

Researchers discovered the insect in (where else?) the Peruvian Amazon, and even though its decoy looks like a medium-sized spider that's about an inch across, the impressive fake was actually made by a tiny, tricky 5-millimeter spider. That spider behind the curtain is probably, the researchers say, a new species of Cyclosa, a genus known to pull similar stunts.

The smaller builder-insect even moves back and forth, giving the impression that the decoy is moving and, in the process, confusing predators into attacking the decoy instead.

So spiders can count too? Eight legs

Is this spider 'self aware'? It makes it's own decoy eggs:



www.popsci.com...
blog.perunature.com...

That is effin awesome. Star and Flag!
Sometimes nature is just amazing, and makes you smile.

reply to post by Lonewulph


that must be what all our signals in space by SETI look like to a more advanced form of life.

What if the spider was making a sign, like HEY, I can draw!

like us sending out prime numbers, and what not.

Wow. That's just so cool.

Just wow.

reply to post by Lonewulph


Its a replicator. (yeah i am a stargate fan)

Is it sad that a spider can draw better then some people I know?

reply to post by Lonewulph


I can't assume that it is being used as a decoy to attract would-be predators. It just doesn't make sense to me. Why would the spider want predators to destroy it's web which is used as both a home for mating and birthing, and of course for catching prey? No, I don't believe we can assume anything beyond the spider reinforcing the strength of it's web, even though the geometry of the web may make such reinforcement appear to look like a spider.

reply to post by Lonewulph


Very cool. But evil...very evil.

Originally posted by trysts
reply to post by Lonewulph

 

I can't assume that it is being used as a decoy to attract would-be predators. It just doesn't make sense to me. Why would the spider want predators to destroy it's web which is used as both a home for mating and birthing, and of course for catching prey? No, I don't believe we can assume anything beyond the spider reinforcing the strength of it's web, even though the geometry of the web may make such reinforcement appear to look like a spider.

The research appears to be based on the fact that the specie repeats this strategy to trick predators (birds, paper wasps, etc.), into attacking the decoy spider instead of itself.

It knows it must have a web up, it knows it will be preyed upon at some point, so it seems it wants a little insurance to increase his chances of survival.

Originally posted by TheMindWar
reply to post by Lonewulph

 

Its a replicator. (yeah i am a stargate fan)

Then it's not cool. Sabot round it now.

I wonder if the decoy is poisonous too, built with toxic leafs and insects.

reply to post by Lonewulph


It still makes no sense to me. While it's working on it's web creating the "decoy" it would be in danger from birds, rodents, and other insects anyway. I just think it's the less likely explanation than merely reinforcing the web.

reply to post by Lonewulph


Wow!
That is COOL!
As poster above said, should not the spider be self aware to be able to do this???

Originally posted by trysts
reply to post by Lonewulph

 

It still makes no sense to me. While it's working on it's web creating the "decoy" it would be in danger from birds, rodents, and other insects anyway. I just think it's the less likely explanation than merely reinforcing the web.

I see your angle... the spider cannot use camouflage and concealment to survive like many other insects or animals, it is only left to provide a decoy to survive.

Studies have found that some Cyclosa species have a higher survival rate against potential predators like paper wasps because the wasps end up attacking the debris in the web rather than the spider itself. As seen here, Cyclosa can make debris look a bit like a spider, but not nearly as detailed as the spiders found at the Tambopata Research Center which have a complex form that actually looks like a bigger version of themselves, complete with legs and all.

From afar, it appears to be a medium sized spider about an inch across, possibly dead and dried out, hanging in the center of a spider web along the side of the trail. Nothing too out of the ordinary for the Amazon. As you approach, the spider starts to wobble quickly forward and back, letting you know this spider is, in fact, alive.

blog.perunature.com...
www.wired.com...
www.unexplained-mysteries.com...

reply to post by Lonewulph


If it only went against the geometry of the web itself, then I could more readily understand a conscious attempt to make a decoy spider. But the geometry of the web is such where any central reinforcement would produce a spider-like look. Oh well, the researchers can't be faulted for bringing up the possibility of another explanation than the most mundane one.

reply to post by Lonewulph


This is extremely fascinating, thank you so much for posting.

As you approach, the spider starts to wobble quickly forward and back, letting you know this spider is, in fact, alive.

I have seen spiders shake webs when they feel intimidated. I've not known why they do it but they do. Sounds like this little guy has found an extra asset in it's inventory.

I bow to our new imitation decoy spider overlords.

This is the answer to every conspiracy theory that ever was and ever will be.

reply to post by Druscilla

I bow to our new imitation decoy spider overlords.

I was tempted to say something along the same lines but I thought it would be a bit cheesy.

reply to post by Lonewulph


Meh... i don't care about spiders....

But

That Dog in your Avatar is gorgeous!

Originally posted by TheMindWar
reply to post by Lonewulph

 

Its a replicator. (yeah i am a stargate fan)

Quick, grab the ARG and close the Iris!