We use the term 'aggressive mimic'for predators that communicate with their prey by making
signals to indirectly manipulate prey behaviour. For understanding why the aggressive …

Highlights•Stenolemus giraffa preys on dangerous web-building spiders with sophisticated
sensory systems.•Its predatory flexibility is convergent with other araneophagic …

Chemical communication is very likely used by all spiders in many contexts, but we know
little about the nature of the substances involved, their biosynthesis and where and how they …

Conspicuous body colouration in sedentary predators such as orb web spiders seems
paradoxical as potential prey can see and avoid the webs. Several studies have …

Sit-and-wait predators have evolved several traits that increase the probability of
encountering prey, including lures that attract prey. Although most crab spiders (Thomisidae) …

Communal predators may often need to make especially intricate foraging decisions, as a
predator's success may depend on the actions of its neighbours. Here, we consider the …

Versatile predatory tactics might favor success during intra-guild predation. In the case of
spiders, the preditory spitting spiders (Scytodidae) invade webs and feed on certain weaver …

Spider webs can be invaded by other species of spiders. While the majority involve spiders
that build webs of their own, there are reports of wandering spiders invading webs. Most wolf …

The hypothesis that an important contribution to the evolution of intelligent behavior was the
adaptive challenge of dealing with the complexities of living in a social group: striking a …