In the spiders' intended insect prey, the toxin exerts this same activity upon potassium and calcium ion channels.
Much of its preferred insect prey are primarily found in microhabitats and on bare sand, a large reason why the success of this species relies on low vegetative ground cover.
In circumstances where the insect prey is low, Louisiana waterthrushes can target prey as large as salamanders and small fish.
There is evidence that polymorphic insect prey suffer less predation than single-morph species at a particular density, and can maintain higher population densities for a given rate of predation.
Emerging spiderlings of Thomisus onustus may feed on pollen or nectar when insect preys are lacking.
It is a "follower" in such flocks, allowing other birds to work as "beaters"; it follows them and hunts down any insect prey they flush.
Notice how the eyes work independently of one another, searching for likely insect prey upon which to unfurl their long, sticky, lobe-ended tongue.
These serve not only to attract and trap insect prey, but also allow the plant to "hold on" to neighboring structures for support.
This long period of sleep is thought to be a way of conserving energy, by only hunting for a few hours each night when their insect prey are available.
They are easily maintained in a terrarium with frequent misting and insect prey, but they are not easy to handle.