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Sexy signals spell death

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Martin Aaron Martin Aaron | 11:35 UK time, Wednesday, 30 March 2011

Scientists at Cardiff University have recently discovered that insects using vibration to attract mates risk being eaten alive by spiders.

According to Dr Meta Virant-Doberlet and Professor William Symondson - "Vibrational signalling is a widespread form of sexual communication between animals."

"By observing this behaviour we have been able to see, for the first time, that spiders are able to exploit sexual vibrational communication signals as a mean of tracking down their prey."

When recordings of male leafhopper vibrational signals were played, spiders began homing in on the signal, searching for food.

They also preferred male leafhoppers over females, probably due to the louder more complex signals used by males during courtship.

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