SCI/TECH: Vampire Spider Found

The newly discovered East African jumping spider feeds on blood - a ready-made nutrient-rich whole food. The spider cannot pierce skin and suck blood directly from the source, so it attacks female mosquitoes that have just fed. Scientists claim that "Evarcha culicivora" is the first predator ever found that selects its prey based upon what the prey just ate.





This is an exciting biological discovery, and a cool predator. Efficient. And perhaps, evidence of evolution in action.

Still, I have some difficulty with the scientists' observation that this is "the first predator ever identified that selects its prey based upon what the prey just ate." Surely at least one of the scientists involved in the research must be familiar with the Stock Exchange?

Its a very good thing they cant sting humans! It s definately like evolution is coming into play, another thing, think of how many things are being kept from spreading something potetially nasty, because its eating something that is less than desireable Woohooo! Horray for Mother Nature

Just one more critter that can carry malaria around--glad they can't give it to us.

I don't care how helpful it is, it still scares me:

(from original news story link)



dsc.discovery.com...

Interesting discovery none the less

[edit on 29-10-2005 by UK Wizard]

Originally posted by soficrow
Still, I have some difficulty with the scientists' observation that this is "the first predator ever identified that selects its prey based upon what the prey just ate." Surely at least one of the scientists involved in the research must be familiar with the Stock Exchange?

ROFLOL..........That was a great morning laugh...thank you....

As to the story......How Fun!! A great piece, an interesting story and an excellent change of pace for ATSNN.....

Its actually kind of cute... But it isnt likely, it can spread anything, after all spiders kill, liquefy, and eat their prey.

Why is this evolution in work?

I do not find any evidence to back that claim up, rather than the fact they just found another species of insect. They find thousands and thousands every year...

Originally posted by Odium
Why is this evolution in work?

I do not find any evidence to back that claim up,

Odium - it wasn't a "claim" - it was a suggestion "And perhaps, evidence of evolution in action," based on the comment in the article "that spiders now probably lack the right body parts and structure to evolve into direct bloodsuckers, but he does not completely rule this out for the distant future."

...Just another way of looking at reality - and speculating that maybe we didn't just "discover" an old, previously unrecognized spider - but rather, found one that has recently evolved. Hmmmm. Not a claim - just an idea.


.

Thats a interesting find I was watching a show on Animal Vampires awhile ago and they had a just discovered a Butterfly that feeds on blood. It was so weird seeing a butterfly using its straw-like proboscis to suck up blood off a dead animal.

Nobody ever suspects the Butterfly

Ive heard of the "Vampire Moth" of Southeast Asia is a blood feeder. Which can insert its tongue through human skin, and may sip on our blood for up to 60 minutes.

But this was the first I ever seen of a Butterfly eating blood lucky its not set up to pierce human skin but rather feeds on animals already killed by something eles.

Originally posted by Odium
Why is this evolution in work?

I do not find any evidence to back that claim up, rather than the fact they just found another species of insect. They find thousands and thousands every year...

Chill out and dont get your underoos all outta shape. It was a suggestion. And guess what even if it is evolution at work who cares.

Originally posted by ShadowXIX

a Butterfly that feeds on blood.

A vampire butterfly?

I think you just ruined my life.

I'm outta here.


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Originally posted by ShadowXIX
Ive heard of the "Vampire Moth" of Southeast Asia is a blood feeder. Which can insert its tongue through human skin, and may sip on our blood for up to 60 minutes.

*Swats his shoulder*

*Slaps a freckle on his arm, recoiling*

Zip

It actually is rather cute in a strange freaky way.
Kind of reminds me of my cat with the black fuzzy legs and all.
Sounds to me like these little buggers are more like natures "garbage men" than an evolutionary work in progress, but who knows.

BTW, it’s not an insect, it’s an arachnid.

Well lets chalk one up for spiders.. i think everyone will want a vampire spider.. it's gonna be the hot new christmas gift in all the misquito heavy parts of the world.. lets just hope your not the first to get the new improved model with the kung fu mandibles, that decides to test them out on the back of your neck.

Oh btw... i'v always suspected the butterflies, everyone knows that butterflies are just a tool of the illuminati

Originally posted by Odium
Rather than the fact they just found another species of insect.

And since when did the spider become an insect? I belive insects have 6 legs?? and spiders have 8.. Leaving them in a class of thier own..

[edit on 10/31/2005 by ThichHeaded]