Australian scientists announced the discovery of a new kind of spider. They call it the ballista spider because it builds a web that operates like a tension trap.
The trap shoots forward when the spider releases the fibres. This flings ants into the air where they become trapped. Researchers filmed the spider tensing the web before the abrupt let-go. They spotted it in Queensland’s rainforests, often tucked away under leaves. The discovery shows a spider that uses swift mechanical strength to catch food.