1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Animals / Wildlife
photo of Laura Klappenbach

Laura's Animals / Wildlife Blog

By Laura Klappenbach, About.com Guide to Animals / Wildlife since 2001

Disguised Moths Confuse Jumping Spiders

Wednesday March 21, 2007

Many moths can fall prey to the crafty predatory skills of a jumping spider but scientists have discovered that moths belonging to the genus Brenthia have developed an intriguing way of facing down their predators.

These moths, referred to as metalmark moths, display their hind and fore wings when faced with a jumping spider. Patterns on their wings make them look like jumping spiders themselves. The resemblance confuses the spiders and some retreat while others are slowed by the deception and the moth is able to escape.

Find out more: Moths Elude Spiders by Mimicking Them, Study Says

Add to Technorati Favorites

Comments

No comments yet. Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

Line and paragraph breaks are automatic. Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title="">, <b>, <i>, <strike>

Explore Animals / Wildlife

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Animals / Wildlife

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.