Can Spiders Drink Human Blood?
WouterIt is said that there is no known species of spider that will suck human blood directly. However, several species do feed on blood-sucking insects. For instance, the jumping spider, Evarcha culicivora, will prey upon blood-sucking Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes.
Researchers have been studying this spider for many years. They have discovered that it can recognize the position of Anopheles mosquitoes at rest. In addition, it has a sense of smell that is similar to that of its prey.
The researchers conducted a food preference test for this species. Spiders were raised in a lab and fed different types of insect food. Some of the test subjects were allowed to choose between feeding on blood-fed female mosquitoes, or on sugar-fed female mosquitoes.
A total of 127 spiders chose the female mosquitoes with blood, and another 162 chose the ones that had been sugar-fed. This demonstrates that the spider prefers female mosquitoes over male mosquitoes.
The culicivora also prefers to eat female mosquitoes who have just eaten a blood meal. This is the first predator to select a prey based on its type of prey.
One of the most interesting facts about the Evarcha culicivora is that it will not pierce its skin in order to drink blood. Although the body of this species has hemocyanin, it is not designed for direct hemitophagy.
The scientists did find that the spider’s saliva contains a special enzyme that helps it digest its prey. This enzyme makes it easier for the spider to eat its prey, even if it has no teeth.
