Brettus adonis
Brettus adonis, is a species of spider of the genus Brettus. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.[1]
| Brettus adonis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Salticidae |
| Genus: | Brettus |
| Species: | B. adonis |
| Binomial name | |
| Brettus adonis Simon, 1900 | |
Diet and behaviour
Brettus adonis preys upon other spiders, mainly web-building ones. Members of this species do not stick to any kind of spider silk, and will invade the webs of other spiders to feed on them. To capture a web-building spider, they typically pluck upon the silken strings at the edge of the web with their pedipalps, varying how they pluck until an effective rhythm is found. Then, they repeat this manner of plucking and lure the spider over(aggressive mimicry), capturing or stabbing their prey in a lunging attack.[2]
Apart from spiders, Brettus adonis will also prey on insects, although they prefer to eat web-building spiders.[3] They usually capture insects via close range lunging attacks.[2]
References
- "Brettus adonis Simon, 1900". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- Jackson, Robert R.; Hallas, Susan E. A. (October 1986). "Predatory versatility and intraspecific interactions of spartaeine jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae): Brettus adonis, B. cingulatus, Cyrba algerina, and Phaeacius sp. indet". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 13 (4): 491–520. doi:10.1080/03014223.1986.10422979. ISSN 0301-4223.
- Jackson, Robert R. (2000-01-01). "Prey preferences and visual discrimination ability of Brettus, Cocalus and Cyrba, araneophagic jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) from Australia, Kenya and Sri Lanka". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 27 (1): 29–39. doi:10.1080/03014223.2000.9518206. ISSN 0301-4223.