Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Unknown insect

Posted by Tony Irwin on 27-08-2014 20:59
#6

This is one of the spitting spiders, which use a double stream of glue, squirted from specially adapted chelicerae to catch their prey. The glue dries on exposure to air, and (if properly applied) will restrain the prey item, so that the spider simply walks up to it and bites it on an extremity. Once the venom has taken effect, the spider can dine in leisure and safety. Occasionally the prey may not be sufficiently "tied down", and I guess accidents happen in these circumstances. Alternatively it may just be the result of a problem moult. Either way, it doesn't help us identify this female. Someone more familiar with the species may be able to say which on the basis of colour pattern, but the on-line images I have seen are not helpful in that respect. :|