Amblipices: How Do They Control Pests?
Spiders are known for their predatory qualities in nature. However, one of its close relatives performs functions very similar to those of tarantulas and arachnids that inhabit spider webs. We are talking about the ambiguities ( Amblypygi ) and its impressive ways to control pests.
While at first glance they might be mistaken for a spider – or even a scorpion – ambipygiums are a separate group within arachnids. The animals belonging to the order Amblypygi are characterized by having a broad and markedly flat body. If you want to know more about them, read on.
Main groups of ambiguous
These little-known arachnids are distributed all over the world and, currently, there are about 170 species included in this group. The ambipigies are divided into 5 families:
- Charinids.
- Charontidae.
- Paracharontidae.
- Phrynichidae.
- Phrynidae.
They have a typical shape of spiders, with the body divided into a head (prossoma) and abdomen (opistosoma), separated by a very narrow waist. They also have chelicerae in their oral structure, but unlike most arachnids, they have no venom. Therefore, they are completely harmless to humans.
nocturnal predators
Amblipygias are considered troglophile animals, that is, they are capable of living and reproducing in caves, although they are also found in dark and humid microhabitats outside them.
Therefore, it is common that during the day they hide under logs, rocks and dry leaves, while at night they become more active. When they come out of their hiding places to hunt, they play an important role as pest biocontrollers.
Amblipygians hunt their prey in the dark, with the help of their oversized pair of forelegs that act as a sensory organ. In addition to this evolutionary advantage, these legs are covered in highly specialized hair, with spines along the inner edge of their pedipalps. The latter end with a final claw, with which they seize their victims.
know your prey
Despite their appearance, no ambipygium will harm you, as these arachnids do not produce venom and are very shy animals in the presence of humans. However, they are insatiable predators, capable of controlling pests in nature.
Of course, its biology and ecology have not yet been fully deciphered. However, several researches ensure that amblipygias feed on a wide variety of organisms, including crickets, cockroaches, mosquitoes, other amblipygias or even larger animals such as small reptiles and hummingbirds.
Arachnids are widely known to be effective pest controllers and ambipygiums are no exception. Many of its prey specialize in the consumption of economically important plants. For this same reason, their natural presence in ecosystems effectively keeps invertebrate pests at bay.
How do ambipigies control pests?
Amblypygians use their tweezers to pick up prey, then crush them with their jaws and make them liquid, in order to make their tissues more digestible. These arachnids use 2 main methods of attack:
- Quick, accurate lunge that grabs and pierces the insect with its pincers, before the prey can react.
- Surround the prey slowly and catch it with its longer paws, avoiding any suspicion, quickly grabbing it.
Don’t let a bad first impression ruin your chance to get to know these intriguing animals a little better. As we’ve already shown in this space, amblipigia are animals that control pests, so they can prevent you from encountering some not-so-pleasant insects.
