South African bolas spider
The South African bolas spider is a unique orb-web spider known for its distinctive hunting technique and structure. Named for its behavior of dangling beneath its web like a bolas weapon, this spider primarily ambushes its prey. Two species are found in South Africa: the South African grassland bolas spider (Cladomelea akermani) and Cladomelea debeeri. Typically, these spiders grow to about one inch (2.5 centimeters) in length and possess a broad body, consisting of a cephalothorax and a rounded abdomen connected by a narrow pedicel.
Unlike many other spiders, the South African bolas spider does not spin elaborate webs; instead, it uses a single sticky silk thread with a ball at the end to catch insects. The spider actively swings this thread to ensnare prey, which is a notable departure from the sit-and-wait strategy employed by most orb-weavers. Mating occurs through direct fertilization, and females lay their eggs in yellowish-gold cocoons, with hatchlings remaining on the mother's web until they can survive on their own. The lifespan of these intriguing spiders is approximately one year, making them a fascinating subject for those interested in arachnology and natural behavior.
On this Page
Subject Terms
South African bolas spider
The South African bolas spider is a species of orb-web spider. The South African bolas spider is called a bolas spider for this spider's habit of dangling on a strand of silk beneath its web like a bola weapon. Most males and young ambush their prey.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Cladomelea
Species: Various (see below)
Two bolas spider species live in South Africa—the South African grassland bolas spider (Cladomelea akermani) and the Cladomelea debeeri. South African bolas spiders are broad-bodied. They grow to an average length of one inch (2 1/2 centimeters) with two main parts like other spiders—the cephalothorax and abdomen. The cephalothorax, also called the prosoma, consists of the head and thorax, or mid-body section. The abdomen, or opisthosoma, is the lower-body section. This section contains most of the spider's internal organs. The two parts of the South African bolas spider's body are connected by a narrow tube called a pedicel. The abdomen of the South African bolas spider is typically large and rounded.
The eight legs of the South African bolas spider extend from this creature's cephalothorax. They have a pair of appendages used for tearing and grasping. This front pair of appendages is known as the palps.
The South African bolas spider may be found in the lower branches of the trees of South Africa. It is commonly found in these places because of their ability to provide adequate support for the spider's web. Unlike other orb-web spiders, the South African bolas spider does not form an elaborate, lacy web. Rather, it spins a few isolated threads it uses to catch its prey.
The South African bolas spider gets its unusual name for its prey-catching habits. Unlike spiders which sit and wait on their webs for prey to stumble into the stickiness, the South African bolas spider takes an active role in trapping its prey. The South African bolas spider produces a single silken thread with a sticky silk ball at the end. The South African bolas spider then swings this line back and forth to catch an insect. Most bolas spiders only swing their thread at an insect already in sight, but not the South African bolas spider. The South African bolas spider swings its thread continuously for about 15 minutes. If something is caught, the spider eats its prey. Otherwise, it consumes the strand of silk and tries again.
Mating between South African bolas spiders begins when the male South African bolas spider approaches a female at her web. The two mate by direct fertilization. In this process of reproduction, the male's sperm is released directly into the female's body.
Sometime after mating, the female South African bolas spider lays her eggs in yellowish gold, silken cocoons. The young spiders develop within the eggs for a while before emerging as hatchlings. The hatchlings stay on their mother's web until they are old enough to survive independently.
The South African bolas spider has a life span of about one year.
Bibliography
"Bolas Spider (Mastophora Cornigera)." Insect Identification, www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification=Bolas-Spider. Accessed 15 May 2024.
Diaz, Candido Jr., and John Roff. “Mechanics of the Prey Capture Technique of the South African Grassland Bolas Spider, Cladomelea Akermani.” Insects, vol. 13, no. 12, 5 Dec. 2022, p. 1118. doi:10.3390/insects13121118.