#bagheera kiplingi

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Give a spider a fly and it'll eat for a day-- unless that spider happens to be Bagheera kiplingi. This species of jumping spider is notable for being almost entirely herbivorous; adults feed on special, fat-filled nubs known as Beltian bodies that grow on the tips of acacia leaves. Their diet is supplemented with nectar and, occasionally, ant larvae.

(Image: a female Bagheera kiplingi feeding on a Beltian body, by Robert Curry)

[sitting-on-me-bum]

Vegetarian spider

The diet of Bagheera kiplingi is almost exclusively plant-based.

Wirestock, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo

[humansbgone]

Some commissions I did a while back for people in the $20 tier over on Patreon! A vegetarian Bagheera kiplingi jumping spider and a hummingbird moth for @vlinesnauce, a copepod and a banana roach for @karltface, and a ruby-tailed wasp for Midgebot.

[humblegrub]

learn more here 👀

[Image ID: A screenshot of a text conversation.

Person A: wyd

Person B: nm just thinking about mostly herbivorous spiders

A: like Bagheera kiplingi?

B: ya...munching on specialized protein- and fat-rich nubs (Beltian bodies).... occasionally sipping nectar... or stealing a juicy ant larvae...

A: and the very rare cannibalization!

B: PLUS she's so pretty 🥺 A picture of a green iridescent jumping spider is included.

A: I love her 💕

B: 🕷️🍴🌱‼️

End image ID.]

[onenicebugperday]

Have you heard of the Bagheera kiplingi jumping spider? It's herbivorous!

I have, yes! They eat mainly the protein-rich nubs from the tips of acacia trees. But they will also eat nectar and sometimes ant larvae or other spiders when food is scarce. Here’s what they look like:

Cropped photo by Maximilian Paradiz

[bevvy-yt]

When we imagine a spider’s diet, the seemingly infinite buffet of the class Insecta is what leaps to mind. But, in a natural world full of surprises, of course, there are exceptions to the rule. Bagheera kiplingi, a species of jumping spider seemingly desperate to be unique, has ditched its carnivorous diet for a (mostly) vegetarian lifestyle.

This animal’s selected treats are “Beltian bodies”, swollen masses rich in sugars, proteins and lipids, readily available on the tips of the Acacia tree leaves that the veggie jumping spider calls home. The meals are by no means a freebie however, certain ant species have developed a symbiotic relationship with the Acacia and will fiercely defend their beltian banquet. Fortunately, Bagheera’s nimble acrobatic leaps means it mostly cares not for it’s annoying nibbly rivals.

On vegetarianism, Bagheera kiplingi sees no point to absolutism, and will happily make a snack of any ant larvae it stumbles across. Faced with harsh times these critters will go as far as cannibalising each other.

Photograph by Carol Farneti Foster © Casado Internet Group, Belize

[plasmacrowcodile]

Bagheera Kiplingi

Tried to draw a Bagheera Kiplingi spider

[michdevilish]

Eats Tips Leaves H/T: Bagheera kiplingi via Blogger