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This is one of a group of jumping spiders. They do not spin a web. Instead they slowly stalk their prey and when ready to pounce they attach a thread to the surface they are on and leap to catch the next meal. If they miss then the thread enables them to return to the spot they started from. Their prey is other small spiders and insects much their own diminutive 7mm or sometimes larger.
Though jumping spiders have six eyes two of them are large and forward facing. This gives them good stereoscopic vision to judge distances.
It is easy to see why it is called the Zebra Spider (Salticus scenicus) though as a leaping predator I think I would have called it a tiger spider. Either way it has beautiful marking for such a small creature.
As I spent quite a while watching and photographing the spider I was impressed with the speed it could move. Though it stayed pretty well in one place every now and then it would spin through 180 degrees in a fraction of a second.
I could see it was holding something but it wasn't until I cropped and enlarged the pictures I could see it was making a meal of what appears to be an even smaller spider. Even with the +4 close up lens the spider occupied only a tiny fraction of the picture frame.
The only other insect (I know - a spider isn't an insect) about was this Plume Moth, the first I have noticed this year.
Fascinating the way they roll or fold up their wings.
Today, once the Sun burned off the early morning fog, has been gorgeous. While I was waiting at the bottom of the garden hoping to get some shots of the birds bathing in the waterfall a drone fly insisted in hovering in front of me. So that was what I ended up photographing in the hope it would be happy and go pester someone else.
Such long legs compared with the rest of the body. Large compound eyes as well. The green background is actually the lawn out of focus. Believe me it looks far better out of focus than in real life!
This is fascinating stuff John and wonderful photos again. I hadn't realised there were jumping spiders and didn't realise there were some spiders who eat other spiders.
ReplyDeleteI think the second photo of the Drone Fly is particularly stunning and although I have seen the Plume Moth many times I didn't know its name.
Fascinating images. What camera do you use?
ReplyDeleteExcellent pictures John, the close up lens is certainly proving its worth.
ReplyDeleteThat last drone fly shot is really special.
Brilliant photos, MJ. Those zebra spiders are jumpy little critters - I have never succeeded in catching one on film (or should that be pixels.)
ReplyDeleteShySongbird: Thank you. I didn't know about jumping spiders until I found out about this one but have often heard about some female spiders which will eat the male. Spider mating can be a very risky operation for the male.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky with the 2nd drone fly photo as it lowered its legs and rubbed them together as though cleaning them just as I got it in focus.
I think the moth is the Common Plume Moth also known as the Brown Plume Moth.
Chris: Thank you. I use a Canon EOS 50D with the Canon 70-200mm USM IS lens.
Holdingmoments: Thanks. Yes the CU lens helps with the really tiny creatures. I'm pleased to get the 2nd drone fly shot as I only saw it drop its legs the once.
Rambling Rob: Thank You. I would love to get some video of a jumping spider in action. I read on one site that the Zebra Spider can become very tame and be fed with small flies held in tweezers. I was surprised when this one kept its ground even when the lens was just a few inches away. Other spiders I have tried to get close to have disappeared at a rapid rate of knots.
One of the great things about reading other's blogs is that I learn at least one thing every day and today is no exception. Jumping spiders! Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe shots of the drone fly are stunning John - the sun seems to be just in the right position for lighting!
Great close-up photos. The fly in-flight is especially nice.
ReplyDeleteTricia: Yes, it is always informative having a browse around different blogs. It's a good the jumping spider is so small or nature rambles would become even more adventurous!
ReplyDeleteI suppose you could say that the lighting for the fly broke the rules - shooting towards the sun - but it highlights the fine detail on the legs well. Pure chance with a moving object.
Mick: Thank you. Only two rules for photography here:
1. If it stands still - photograph it.
2. If it moves - photograph it.
Amazing pictures! I used to watch jumping spiders hunting on our house windowledge when I was a kid and this brought it all back. I believe that before they jump they anchor themselves to whatever they are standing on with a silken thread, that's paid out as they jump - it's a kind of silken spider safety harness, so that if they miss they can climb back up it; also, if their potential victim turns out to be more trouble than expected they can let go and retrieve their situation, instead of being dragged away.
ReplyDeleteHi Greenfingers: Thanks for the comment. This is really the first time I had taken more than a passing interest in these small creatures. They lead far more complicated lives than we imagine.
ReplyDeleteHi again John, great pics :-)
ReplyDeleteToo good, I’d say as the hairs on the back of my neck stood up! I had to scan read this time. Jumping spiders, that is fascinating. Thanks for sharing that with us - I think ;-)
Sorry about that Shirl. I know how you felt. I have to rapidly skip pictures of hairy looking moths. :(
ReplyDeleteSilly me John, what I should have said was I hadn't realised there are spiders in the UK which eat other spiders, the Black Widow is the one which immediately comes to mind from farther afield. Methinks I may have to look in good old Wikipedia for further information on this gory but fascinating subject!
ReplyDeleteI knew what you meant ShySongbird - just my reply was a bit convoluted. (not a bad word that from the one remaining grey cell)
ReplyDelete