Story: Spiders and other arachnids

Eating a spider

Eating a spider

Although jumping spiders have excellent eyesight, they are often deceived by the camouflage colour and leaf-like rocking behaviour of the praying mantis. This native jumping spider (Trite planiceps) is being dismantled and eaten by a praying mantis, whose mouthparts work like an egg beater, with a vacuum behind them.

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Photograph by Simon Pollard

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How to cite this page:

Simon Pollard, 'Spiders and other arachnids - What is a spider?', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/12703/eating-a-spider (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Simon Pollard, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 14 Mar 2024