The 'ballista spider': Scientists discover a tiny spider that launches ants with 140 times the force of gravity
Why scientists call it the 'ballista spider' How the silk-powered catapult works The forces involved are astonishing The prey activates the trap Scientists spent days
Why scientists call it the 'ballista spider' How the silk-powered catapult works The forces involved are astonishing The prey activates the trap Scientists spent days documenting the behaviour Deep in the rainforests of far north Queensland, Australia, scientists have discovered a tiny spider with an extraordinary hunting strategy. Nicknamed the "ballista spider", the newly described species uses a silk-powered trap that launches prey into its web with accelerations reaching up to 140 times the force of gravity. Researchers say the spider specifically targets aggressive green tree ants, pulling them into the air using a mechanism that resembles a medieval siege weapon. The discovery, published in Current Biology, has astonished scientists and revealed one of the most specialised and powerful prey-capture systems ever documented in nature.The spider gets its nickname from the ballista, an ancient Roman siege engine designed to launch projectiles over long distances. Researchers say the comparison is fitting because the spider stores energy in specially constructed silk threads before suddenly releasing it to propel prey into its web.The species belongs to the genus Propostira in the cobweb spider family, Theridiidae.
Although the spider has not yet received a formal scientific name, its unique hunting technique immediately caught the attention of researchers.Unlike many spiders that capture a wide variety of insects, the ballista spider appears to focus almost exclusively on green tree ants (Oecophylla smaragdina).These ants are known for their aggressive behaviour, powerful bites and ability to quickly summon nestmates when threatened.Most predators avoid attacking green tree ants because of the risks involved. Yet the ballista spider has evolved a hunting strategy that allows it to capture the dangerous insects without coming into direct contact with them.Professor Ajay Narendra of Macquarie University described the spider's behaviour as an example of extreme specialisation, noting that few spiders focus on a single prey species.Researchers observed that the spider spends hours building an intricate trap. It first creates an anchor point on vegetation or the forest floor before constructing dozens of highly tensioned silk threads.These threads are bundled into a small cone-shaped structure positioned near the ground. Scientists believe the spider may also use chemical cues to encourage ants to investigate and attack the cone.When an ant bites the structure, the trap is triggered instantly.
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