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.
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Pogonomyrmex salinus

● Horse Ridge, SE of Bend [Deschutes Co], OR USA [el. 1310 m / 4297 ft] view location in Google Maps » ● 9/26/10 10:42AM sunny, air temp: 22°C / 71°F

[IMAGE 2 of 4] Less than one minute after the previous image, the spider moves back to the immobilized ant and manipulates it with its forelegs - getting it into position to be carried. The spider then transported the ant about 45cm/1.5ft away to a spot where there was another dead (or paralyzed) Pogo, which evidence pointed to as also being a victim of the spider. Note that the stricken ant (P. salinus worker) still has a piece of plant matter clasped in her mandibles. Apparently the ant was engaged in foraging (or less likely, nest maintenance) activities when attacked by the spider - not defending against the predator, as one might expect. [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, and capture 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.