How One Spider Became (Mostly) Vegetarian

Bagheera kiplingi is a unique spider found in Mexico and Central America, known for its primarily herbivorous diet, unlike most spiders. It feeds on Beltian bodies and nectar from thorn trees, which have a mutualistic relationship with ants. The spider's diet varies between populations in Mexico and Costa Rica. Despite its vegetarian tendencies, it occasionally consumes ant larvae and other small insects. Bagheera kiplingi exhibits quasi-social behavior, living in groups without competing for resources, a rarity among spiders.

What makes Bagheera kiplingi different from most other spiders?

• It is larger than most spiders.

• It lives underwater.

• It has a mostly herbivorous diet.

• It can fly short distances.

What are Beltian bodies?

• A type of flower that produces nectar.

• A type of web spun by Bagheera kiplingi.

• A type of insect that Bagheera kiplingi preys on.

• Specialized leaf tip structures high in protein and sugar.

How does the diet of Bagheera kiplingi differ between populations in Mexico and Costa Rica?

• In Mexico, they eat more nectar than Beltian bodies.

• In Costa Rica, they eat more Beltian bodies than nectar.

• In Mexico, Beltian bodies make up 91% of their diet.

• In Costa Rica, they eat only nectar.

What is the mutualistic relationship between the thorn trees and ants?

• The trees produce flowers for the ants to pollinate.

• The ants help the trees grow faster.

• The trees provide shelter and food for the ants, and the ants protect the trees.

• The ants provide food for the trees.

Why is Bagheera kiplingi considered to be exploiting the mutualistic relationship between the ants and the thorn trees?

• It helps the ants protect the trees.

• It eats the Beltian bodies meant for the ants.

• It pollinates the trees' flowers.

• It provides shelter for the ants.

How does the social behavior of Bagheera kiplingi differ from most other spiders?

• It lives in large groups on the same tree.

• It is highly aggressive towards other spiders.

• It builds communal webs with other spiders.

• It is solitary and territorial.

What is a unique social characteristic of Bagheera kiplingi?

• Males outnumber females 2 to 1.

• They cooperate to capture prey.

• Females guard their young in nests.

• They migrate in large groups.