Ultraviolet glow lights up spider sex

As if dressed for a psychedelic rave, jumping spiders sport glowing patches on their bodies to lure in eight-legged mates, a new study finds.

Jumping spiders of both sexes are known for their excellent eyesight, particularly in the ultraviolet wavelengths, and male jumping spiders are equipped with UV-reflecting scales that glow bright white and green under the sun’s ultraviolet light.

The spiders display and pose these body parts to intimidate other males. Such bright ornaments seemed a likely lure for mates, but no one had yet found evidence of them in action.