Pirate spider

12 genera, including:
Mimetus
Ero

The pirate spiders, also known as cannibal spiders (family Mimetidae) are a family of spiders that typically feed on other spiders.

The Mimetidae family contains roughly 200 species divided between 12 genera, of which Mimetus and Ero are the most common. Mimetida are usually yellow and brown and are usually 3 to 7 mm long. Mimetidae can be recognized by the rows of spine-like hairs on their long front legs.

Mimetidae usually hunt by picking at the strands on their prey's web to simulate the movements of eaither a trapped insect or a potential mate. When their prey comes to investigate, they are instead captured and eaten.

External links

• Arachnology Home Pages: Araneae
• Platnick, N.I. 2003. World Spider Catalog
• Iziko, Museums of Cape Town