Bolas spider A female bolas spider (Mastophora phrynosoma) holding her sticky “bola” with one leg. (more) bolas spider arachnid Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/bolas-spider Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: American bolas spider, Mastophora, fishing spider Written by Sanat Pai Raikar Sanat Pai Raikar is a quizmaster and writer based out of Bangalore, India. His first quiz book, Three's A Quiz, was written from memory. Sanat has cofounded Quizarre, which provides quiz, crossword,... Sanat Pai Raikar Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Apr 8, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Also called: American bolas spider (Show more) Sometimes called: fishing spider (Show more) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is a unique hunting method used by female bolas spiders? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Female bolas spiders capture flying moths by swinging a sticky droplet at the end of a silk thread, similar to a South American bola hunting weapon." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Where are bolas spiders found? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Bolas spiders are found in temperate and tropical regions throughout the Americas." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How do bolas spiders use pheromones in hunting? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Bolas spiders use aggressive chemical mimicry and release pheromones to lure male moths in search of a mate." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How long do most bolas spiders live and when do they reproduce? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Most bolas spiders live less than a year. Females produce large egg sacs in the fall and die shortly thereafter. The spiderlings emerge in the spring." } } ] } Top Questions What is a unique hunting method used by female bolas spiders? Female bolas spiders capture flying moths by swinging a sticky droplet at the end of a silk thread, similar to a South American bola hunting weapon.

　　Where are bolas spiders found? Bolas spiders are found in temperate and tropical regions throughout the Americas.

　　How do bolas spiders use pheromones in hunting? Bolas spiders use aggressive chemical mimicry and release pheromones to lure male moths in search of a mate.

　　How long do most bolas spiders live and when do they reproduce? Most bolas spiders live less than a year. Females produce large egg sacs in the fall and die shortly thereafter. The spiderlings emerge in the spring.

　　bolas spider, (genus Mastaphora), genus of about 50 species of New World spiders known for the particular hunting method of the females. Female bolas spiders capture their flying prey by swinging a sticky droplet at the end of a silky thread, much like the South American bola hunting weapon. Bolas spiders are found in temperate and tropical regions throughout the Americas. Certain other spiders, namely members of the genera Cladomelea, Encyosaccus, and Ordgarius, hunt similarly and are sometimes referred to as bolas spiders. Taxonomy See also list of arachnids. Like all spiders, bolas spiders have a body formed of a ...(100 of 678 words)

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