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Spooky Science Series: #1 The tale of the treacherous spider.
- Lit Lab London
- Oct 6, 2024
- 2 min read
Welcome to this month's Halloween-themed science blog!
It's Halloween season, so throughout October, we thought we'd introduce you to a world where science and scares collide!
From creepy crawlies to ghostly phenomena, we'll explore the science that fuels our Halloween nightmares, right here. Check back each week during October to be terrified and tantalised!
Halloween is the perfect time to explore the creepy and crawly creatures of the night, and since 55% of Brits think nothing is more frightening than a spider (it’s the nation’s most common phobia), we're kicking off with that!
#1 The Spider's Firefly Trick
Arachnophobia is probably a justified fear, as some spiders can be downright diabolical, using their cunning to manipulate and exploit other creatures.
Research has discovered a new hunting tactic in the Araneus ventricosus spider - spiders using bioluminescence to deceive their prey.
New research has revealed that the A. ventricosus spider traps male fireflies, and uses them as ‘puppets’ to send false signals to other fireflies, and lure more unsuspecting prey into their webs.
Researchers set up high-speed cameras on spiders’ webs in farmland in East Asia to record the interactions between the spider and fireflies.
"Drawing from extensive field observations, we propose that Araneus ventricosus practices deceptive interspecific communication by first ensnaring firefly males in its web and then predisposing the entrapped male fireflies to broadcast bioluminescent signals that deviate from female-attracting signals typically made by male fireflies, and instead mimic the male-attracting signals typically made by females," writes a team led by entomologist Xinhua Fu of Huazhong Agricultural University in China.
"The outcome is that the entrapped male fireflies broadcast false signals that lure more male fireflies into the web."
In male fireflies, this bioluminescent light display is used for a variety of purposes, including attracting mates, communicating with other fireflies, and even acting as a warning to predators. However when hijacked by this spider, the doomed male flirefly instead lures its fellows to their own deaths - an entirely different level of getting caught up in an evil genius' web.
This discovery is not only fascinating from a scientific perspective, but it is also a great reminder of the incredible diversity of life on Earth. There are so many amazing creatures out there, each with its own unique adaptations and behaviours.
So next time you're out trick-or-treating, take a moment to appreciate the spiders lurking in the shadows. You never know what kinds of tricks they might be up to.
Source:
X. Fu et al. Spider manipulates and exploits firefly’s bioluminescent signals. Current Biology. Published online August 19, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.011.
Join us on Thursday 31 October at the Lit Lab Science and Sip: Halloween Special. You bring the curiosity, we’ll bring the vibes this Halloween. Limited tickets now out on Eventbrite! Book now below
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