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Predator-Prey Interactions

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Low-Cost Automated Flight Intercept Trap for the Temporal Sub-Sampling of Flying Insects Attracted to Artificial Light at Night

Low-Cost Automated Flight Intercept Trap for the Temporal Sub-Sampling of Flying Insects Attracted to Artificial Light at Night

Published on: December 29, 2021

Artificial night light alters nocturnal prey interception outcomes for morphologically variable spiders.

Suet Wai Yuen¹, Timothy C Bonebrake¹

¹School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

|December 19, 2017

Summary

Artificial night light reduces moth prey interception by orb weaver spiders. This study shows how light pollution can disrupt predator-prey interactions, impacting spider hunting success.

Keywords:

Arachnology Ecological light pollution Morphology Predator–prey Species interactions Urban

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Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

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Published on: May 21, 2019

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Last Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Low-Cost Automated Flight Intercept Trap for the Temporal Sub-Sampling of Flying Insects Attracted to Artificial Light at Night

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Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

Published on: May 21, 2019

Area of Science:

Ecology
Animal Behavior
Environmental Science

Background:

Artificial night light (ANL) can disrupt visually-dependent species interactions.
Disruptions of species interactions by ANL are rare, especially concerning predator-prey dynamics.
Orb weaver spiders like Nephila pilipes use visual cues to attract prey.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of ANL on prey attraction and interception by Nephila pilipes spiders.
To determine if artificial light affects the predator-prey relationship in orb weaver spiders.
To assess the role of spider coloration in prey interactions under varying light conditions.

Main Methods:

Experimental manipulation of spider coloration (yellow markings removed) in field settings.
Implementation of artificial light treatments on spider webs.
Measurement of moth prey attraction and interception rates in response to light and spider color treatments.

Main Results:

Moth interception rates were significantly lower on webs exposed to artificial night light compared to unlit webs.
Spider coloration (manipulated yellow markings) did not show a clear impact on moth interception or attraction rates.
Artificial light negatively affected the spiders' ability to intercept prey.

Conclusions:

Artificial night light can reduce prey interception success for orb weaver spiders.
Environmental factors like light pollution can complicate predictions of ecological disruptions.
Further research is needed to understand the full impact of ANL on species interactions and biodiversity.