Defense, Aggression, and Pogos as Prey

Wrestling and stinging ants, lunch for spiders, and territorial wars. Pogonomyrmex spp. ants at various locations in North America.
Scroll down PAST BOTTOM OF PAGE for complete image description, and CLICK large image to make it even LARGER...
***There may be multiple image pages; use page/image controls below to see them all!***

34 / 40

Pogonomyrmex salinus/Tutelina

● Horse Ridge, SE of Bend [Deschutes Co], OR USA [el. 1310 m / 4297 ft] view location in Google Maps » ● 9/26/10 10:41AM sunny, air temp: 22°C / 71°F

[IMAGE 1 of 4] Having attacked and envenomated a Pogonomyrmex salinus worker just seconds earlier; a jumping spider of the genus Tutelina steps back, and waits for the venom to take effect. The ant is about 20cm/8in away, just out of the field of view in the foreground of this image. This action took place on a low gravel Pogonomyrmex salinus nest mound of approximately 60cm/2ft in diameter. There were only a few P. salinus workers visible, and no entrance could be located. It appeared that the ants had mostly retreated to the nest interior, and blocked the entrance in response to the presence of this predator. [scroll down for additional notes/references]

ADDITIONAL NOTES/REFERENCES: Jumping spiders (Salticidae) of the genus Tutelina are known to mimic ants, and prey upon them. The mimicry of ants by these spiders may help the spiders avoid being eaten by predators that would normally avoid eating ants. It is also possible that at very close range, an ant could visually mistake the spider for a fellow ant, and not react defensively to it. In a 1983 Utah study, Tutelina simils was observed preying on Camponotus sp. workers. The author notes that the coloration of the spiders (eye region black, rest of the body appearing reddish brown) is similar to the coloration of common worker ants in the Big Sagebrush habitat where the observations were made. Other morphological and behavioral characteristics also contribute to Tutelina's ability to mimic ants. The spider's long legs have light-colored stripes running lengthwise, making them appear thinner and more ant-like. Additionally, the front legs are often raised and moved about in an imitation of an ant's active antennae. The overall body shape of these spiders is also noticeably more slender than that of most other salticids found in similar habitat. ·Cushing, P.E. 1997. Myrmecomorphy and Myrmecophily in Spiders: a Review. Behavioral Ecology Symposium '96, Florida Entomologist 80(2)
·Wing, K. 1983. Tutelina simils (Areneae: Salticidae): An Ant Mimic that Feeds on Ants. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 56(1), 1983, pp. 55-58.