Phys.org

Newly described Australian ballista spider builds a spring-loaded snare to catch a single ant species

Astrobitica June 22, 2026 (Last updated: June 22, 2026) 1 minute read

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An international team of researchers has discovered a new spider species in the rainforest of North Queensland that spins a powerful spring-actuated snare to catch a specific species of ant, describing it as “the ultimate specialization.”

An international team of researchers has discovered a remarkable new spider species in the rainforest of North Queensland that spins an ingenious and powerful spring-actuated snare to catch a single species of ant—one ant at a time—in what they describe as “the ultimate specialization.”