About Myrmaplata plataleoides (O.Pickard-Cambridge, 1869)
Myrmaplata plataleoides, particularly females, mimic weaver ants in size, shape, and color. Constrictions on the species' cephalothorax and abdomen make its body look like an ant, which naturally has three body segments and six legs. This creates the illusion of a weaver ant's distinct head, thorax, and gaster, along with a long, slender waist. Two black patches on the spider's head mimic the large compound eyes of weaver ants. Females hold their front legs in a position that resembles weaver ant antennae, while males look like a larger ant carrying a smaller ant. Early developmental instars of M. plataleoides differ greatly from adults. While this species is not known to associate with these ants, early instars have been reported to mimic either the tropical fire ant Solenopsis geminata or the yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes. By the fifth instar, juveniles match the size and coloration of their usual mimic model, Oecophylla smaragdina workers.
