A spider for dinner
Jun 1, 2021 00:16:58 #
I came across a pirate spider (Mimetus puritanus) in the yard. Pirate spiders are specialists in that they eat other spiders almost exclusively. With some mixed feelings about it, I decided to try to photograph this spider while it was doing its thing. There were several small orb weavers (I think cross orbweavers, Araneus didematus) in our front yard, so I got the camera and put the pirate spider near the web of one of them. You can see Mimetus in this picture in the upper left. She froze the moment she contacted the orb weaver web. There was a definite impression that she was considering what to do next.
Pirate spider and future prey by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Unfortunately, I then discovered that the batteries for the flash were dying, so I ran off to replace them. Just a couple minutes, but it was already over when I returned (@$#%$$!!). I wanted to see what happened! Pirate spiders commonly go right into the web of their prey, and there they use their long legs to hold the victim at a distance while they plant a delicate bite onto the end of one of their legs. The effects are described as very quick since their venom is especially potent against spiders. That sure seemed to be the case here since in just a short time the orb weaver was already subdued!
Pirate spider and prey by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Well, I did have a good time taking pictures of the meal. These are stacked pictures, made from 2 -9 pictures that were focus bracketed by hand.
Pirate spider and prey by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Pirate spider and prey by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Is is just me, or do the markings on the abdomen look … maniacal?
Pirate spider and prey by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
And here are some before-dinner staged shots of Mimetus. These too are focus stacked.
Pirate spider by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Pirate spider by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Thanks for looking!
Pirate spider and future prey by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrUnfortunately, I then discovered that the batteries for the flash were dying, so I ran off to replace them. Just a couple minutes, but it was already over when I returned (@$#%$$!!). I wanted to see what happened! Pirate spiders commonly go right into the web of their prey, and there they use their long legs to hold the victim at a distance while they plant a delicate bite onto the end of one of their legs. The effects are described as very quick since their venom is especially potent against spiders. That sure seemed to be the case here since in just a short time the orb weaver was already subdued!
Pirate spider and prey by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrWell, I did have a good time taking pictures of the meal. These are stacked pictures, made from 2 -9 pictures that were focus bracketed by hand.
Pirate spider and prey by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrPirate spider and prey by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrIs is just me, or do the markings on the abdomen look … maniacal?
Pirate spider and prey by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrAnd here are some before-dinner staged shots of Mimetus. These too are focus stacked.
Pirate spider by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrPirate spider by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrThanks for looking!
Jun 1, 2021 10:09:48 #
Only a macro spider shooter would go through the trouble of getting those shots. The entire sequence is excellent
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