This “Pink Floyd” spider hunts prey 6x its size and lives in walls

Researchers from several South American institutions have identified a new species of crevice weaver spider, expanding what scientists know about the Pikelinia genus. The species, named Pikelinia floydmuraria, pays tribute to the legendary band Pink Floyd while also reflecting where the spider lives. The name “muraria,” derived from the Latin word for “wall,” highlights its tendency to inhabit building walls and subtly references the band’s famous album The Wall. The findings were published in the open-access journal Zoosytematics and Evolution.

Although P. floydmuraria measures just 3 to 4 millimeters in length, it may play an important role in controlling pests in urban settings. These synanthropic (urban-dwelling) spiders were found to feed mainly on Hymenoptera (such as ants), Diptera (flies and mosquitoes), and Coleoptera (beetles), based on dietary studies of both the new species and a related Pikelinia population in Armenia, Colombia.

Scientists observed these spiders capturing ants up to six times larger than their own prosoma (body) size, demonstrating an impressive ability for such a small predator. They also consistently target common household pests, including mosquitoes (Culicidae) and houseflies (Muscidae). By placing their webs near artificial light sources, the spiders appear to take advantage of phototactic (light-attracted) insects, making their hunting more efficient and potentially helping maintain balance in urban environments.

Clues From a Related Galapagos Species

The study also shed light on a related species from the Galapagos Islands. Researchers provided the first detailed description and illustrations of the female internal genitalia of Pikelinia fasciata, a species first identified in 1902.

Strong similarities between the Galapagos spider and the newly discovered Colombian species, including nearly identical male palpal structures, point to a possible close evolutionary link. This is notable given the vast Pacific Ocean separating their habitats. Scientists are still unsure whether these shared traits come from a common ancestor or from similar environmental pressures shaping their evolution.

What Comes Next for This Newly Discovered Spider

The identification of P. floydmuraria represents only the second known species of the Pikelinia genus recorded in Colombia. Researchers emphasize the need for additional molecular and DNA-based studies to better understand its evolutionary background, trace its geographic origins, and measure its full impact as a natural controller of urban pests.

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‘It’s the most normal thing in the world to feel weird’

Bryony Gordon talks about her struggles with her mental health.

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The struggle to get hold of medication in England is set to get worse

People living with conditions include heart problems, stroke risks, eye infections and bipolar are unable to get hold of the drugs they rely on.

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Martha’s Rule helplines get more than 1,700 calls from worried NHS staff

The scheme encourages staff and families to seek an urgent second opinion if they fear a patient’s condition is worsening.

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Madonna’s Bring Your Love Makes Radio 1 Playlist After Previous Ageism Row

Madonna’s latest single has pushed her back onto Radio 1’s A-list for the first time in almost two decades.

On Thursday night, the Queen of Pop released her new bop Bring Your Love as the lead single from her upcoming album Confessions II.

Produced by former collaborator Stuart Price, the house-inspired tune features vocals from Sabrina Carpenter, and was first unveiled live when the two pop stars shared the stage at Coachella last month.

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Earlier this week, The Sun claimed that its youth-oriented station Radio 1 would be pushing Madonna and Sabrina’s duet on their A-list – meaning it would receive the heaviest rotation on the channel – which would be the Like A Prayer’s first time on there in 18 years.

Radio 1 then unveiled its A-list for the coming week on Friday morning, with Madonna’s new song nestled among new offerings from the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Zara Larsson and PinkPantheress, BTS and Sombr.

Sabrina Carpenter and Madonna performing together at Coachella last month
Sabrina Carpenter and Madonna performing together at Coachella last month

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella

Prior to this, Madonna’s music had sparked an ageism row when Radio 1 refused to play her music.

“I thought it was so discriminatory and unfair,” she told The Sun in 2015. “Shouldn’t it be to do with whether you wrote a good, catchy pop song?

“We’ve made so many advances in other areas – civil rights, gay rights – but ageism is still an area that’s taboo and not talked about and dealt with.”

She added: “I’m so stupid. I didn’t know it was anything to do with my age. I just do my work.”

The BBC insisted at the time: “Radio 1 does not ever ban artists. Tracks are chosen on musical merit and their relevance to our young audience on a case-by-case basis and while around 40 per cent of the country’s 15- to 29-year-olds tune in to Radio 1 each week, an artist’s age is never a factor.”

Madonna claimed later that year: “Radio is ageist. If you’re not in your 20s they won’t play you on the radio. It’s bullshit – but that’s the way it is.

“It is disappointing. We live in an ageist society. I’ve tried my hardest to do whatever I can to change peoples’ perception of women, of age, of what is possible and why should any of us limit ourselves in any way, shape or form regardless of our sex, our sexual preference, our age, our religious beliefs, our race etc.

“So for me it’s shocking in this day and age where we’re now accepting gay marriages that we still treat women in a very sexist way. That’s one frontier that has not been conquered. Because if I was a man, things would be different…”

A similar debate emerged just a few years ago, when Radio 1 declined to playlist Kylie Minogue’s Padam Padam – until it became a top 10 hit.

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