First Vegetarian Spider Found!

Salticids (Jumping spiders) are my personal favorite spider, and how lovely to see them make the news for having a vegetarian species! Check out this link to Science Daily to read the full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012121331.htm

In summary, the spider lives in Central America among ant colonies. The ants are doing a sort of "farming" with Acacia trees, guarding them against predators whilst feeding on the plant's nectar. The jumping spiders sneak around the ant colony, stealing their food. The spiders are able to get around the ants because they are so much smarter than the ants. (Jumping spiders are quite advanced little guys; they are the only spider to see in color and they have excellent depth perception!)

I just love this cute picture of the new spider, Bagheera kiplingi.