Kerengga Ant-like Jumper Or Myrmaplata Plataleoides Stock Photo

Myrmaplata plataleoides, also called the Kerengga ant-like jumper, is a jumping spider that mimics the Kerengga or weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina in morphology and behaviour. This species is found in India, Sri Lanka, China and many parts of Southeast Asia. nnThe spiders live in trees and bushes where the weaver ants live in colonies. By mimicking the ants they are able to stay close to them and gain protection from predators. Since weaver ants have a painful bite and also taste bad, this strategy appears to be successful. Though these spiders mimic the weaver ants very well, they are known to stay away from them. They weave a thin web on leaves, hide under their webbing and ambush their prey.nnThe Kerengga ant-like jumper also mimics ant-like behaviour by the style of locomotion and by waving their front legs like antennae. These jumping-spiders jump only when their safety is threatened.