Firefly Signals Hacked by Spiders for Luring Prey

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Light Trap

Spiders have hacked firefly morse code. Orb-weaving spiders capitalize on firefly mating pulse-flashes to lure in meals.

• Males = multi-pulse, females = single pulse

• Enwebbed males are kept alive and bitten

• Triggering single-pulse flashes, attracting more males

Further research will determine how the spiders manipulate flash patterns and possibly uncover other forms of mimicry as a hunting tool in nature. Blink twice if you’re all the small things.

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