Everything For Nothing

Micrathena spiders live in tropical forests. This one was photographed in the rain forest of Costa Rica. The bright yellow female measures about 15 mm, while the male is three times smaller and more orange in colour. They can easily hide using this camouflage. Prickles and tubercles cover the contours of their body. This makes them almost look like plants. They use their geome- tric-shaped spider web not to hide, but to secure prey. Once they have administered their poison, they wrap up their imprisoned prey in the web.