Australian scientists confirmed they found 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 tugs on the threads. This flings ants into the air where they are snared. Researchers filmed the spider stretching the silk before the sudden release. They spotted it in Queensland’s rainforests, often tucked away under leaves. The discovery shows a spider that uses speed and mechanical power to capture prey.