WHY DO WOLF SPIDERS PREFER GREEN LEAVES?
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Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders prefer green leaves because they have a dichromatic vision, i.e., the receptors in their eyes can only recognize green and ultraviolet color shades.
In contrast, unless someone is color blind, we have trichromatic vision, meaning that we can differentiate blue, red and green shades. Although wolf spiders have four eyes, their capacity is limited.
The above find was published on July 25, 2018, by a team led by Uetz, a Biologist at the University of Cincinnati, after a study involving 1,200 spiders. The research team tested the effect on the spiders of the intensity and contrast of the background color while the researchers played footage of courting spiders.
The team found that male and female spiders responded to color, but the latter was more concerned about the intensity. The spiders liked color green more than other colors. The researchers found that the arachnids prefer green because they can see potential mates and prey against the green shades.
Wolf spiders can be seen sitting patiently on green leaves waiting for prey and pounce on the victim when within range. The prey is more comfortable to catch when it stands against color shades of green.
The wolf spiders are solitary insects, living, and hunting alone. They prefer a green background for courtship so that their courtship dance stands out. When a spider performs a courtship dance, it sends out vibrations along with secreted chemicals that woo female spiders over vast distances.
The unique courtship behavior of species prevents interbreeding. Spiders rely on chemicals, visual signals, and vibrations to communicate.
Resources:
UC Magazine: UC’s biology research suggests wolf spiders see more than we thought.
By Michael Miller
July 25, 2018
https://magazine.uc.edu/editors_picks/recent_features/wolfspiders.html
Mail Online: Wolf spiders have distinct personalities formed by their experiences with past mates, researchers find
By CECILE BORKHATARIA FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
March 23, 2017
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4340548/Wolf-spiders-distinct-personalities.html
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