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A female Goldenrod Crad Spider (Misumena vatia) capturing a couple of mating flies. A mistery remains to be explained. When the shot was made the female fly was still struggling. During the whole process, and even after the spider stopped inoculating the venom and hide under the flower, the male fly didn't move from its mating position. Was it too busy with the intercourse or, somehow, was also affected by the venom?

Second question: what is the species of the flies?

Thanks,

Joaquim Gaspar

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This is an amazing photo:o. Congrats:)

I think the flies belong to the genus Stevenia (Rhinophoridae).

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Thank you Rui. Here is another shot, after the attack. To the best of my knowledge at least one of the flies is already dead.

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It happens even between hominids. My former dean died of a heart attack while mounting, and there were no spiders! :o