A spider was observed preying upon a teneral damselfly at a vernal pool in Huntley Meadows Park. The genus/species of the spider is uncertain; the damselfly appears to be a female Slender Spreadwing (Lestes rectangularis).
31 MAY 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | spider preying upon damselfly
According to experts on the BugGuide Facebook group, the spider is probably an unknown species from the Family Araneidae (Orb Weavers).
Post Update: Ashley Bradford, a local arachnid expert and excellent all-around amateur naturalist, identified the spider as an Arabesque Orbweaver (Neoscona arabesca). Thanks, Ashley!
31 MAY 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | spider preying upon damselfly
Aperture Priority mode was used for the next photo, in order to increase the depth of field. As you can see, the depth of field at f/8.0 was insufficient for both the damselfly and spider to be in focus.
31 MAY 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | spider preying upon damselfly
A dragonfly was trapped in a spider web at Hidden Pond, Meadowood Recreation Area, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. The dragonfly, possibly an immature male Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis), is infested with parasitic red water mites.
22 JUN 2016 | Meadowood Recreation Area | dragonfly in spider web
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Blue Dasher dragonfly, Family Lestidae (Spreadwings), Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), female, Hidden Pond, Huntley Meadows Park, immature male, Lestes rectangularis, Meadowood Recreation Area, Pachydiplax longipennis, parasite, predator, prey, Slender Spreadwing damselfly, teneral, vernal pool, water mites
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March 23, 2017 at 6:32 am |
Alas, spiders have to eat too. It seems to me that tenerals are especially vulnerable to spiders as well as a host of other potiential threats.
March 23, 2017 at 7:13 pm |
That’s true, but there are lots of other kinds of insects that spiders could eat without upsetting me!