Orange mass under leaf

JRsbugs · #1 (**permalink**) 14-11-2009, 07:26 PM

Hi all,

This was under a Camellia leaf, I don't remember the size but I think about 7-8mm long. Could it be a mass of spider eggs? I have all sorts under the leaves but this is stumping me. Taken on 8th October. I have another pic somewhere of a cluster of what looks like lots of chubby brown spiders legs which I think was in about the same place, will see if I can find it.

Janet

jaguarondi · #2 (**permalink**) 15-11-2009, 04:57 PM

Janet, to me, it looks more like a rust (Uromyces) pustule than anything, but I'm probably wide of the mark.

JRsbugs · #3 (**permalink**) 15-11-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaguarondi

Janet, to me, it looks more like a rust (Uromyces) pustule than anything, but I'm probably wide of the mark.

Thanks jaguarondi, I'll check that out, still looking for the other pic of a bundle of legs. I spent hours yesterday moving pics from folders!

It does look to have a sort of webbing over the top, if you look at the top area you can see it.

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 15-11-2009, 06:28 PM

I doubt it's a fungal growth, I checked it out. If you enlarge the pic more you will see what I mean by the webbing over it which is orange, it reminds me of a small ball shaped egg nest which was hung from my water barrel and had similar type strands but they were meticulously woven. They don't appear to be a spider's webbing though, could a wasp make this type of strand? Now I need to upload the other one too to show what I mean.

I found the other cluster, after searching through everything else I revisited my 'spider' folder and yes it was there!

It was on 5th September though so doesn't fit at all with this apart from the look of it. It looks like a lot of chunky legs but would appear to be strange eggs! I know it was in the same area but I'm always taking pics one handed under leaves.

JRsbugs · #5 (**permalink**) 15-11-2009, 06:35 PM

Here's the ball on the water barrel with the woven thread supporting it, it was there for a long time but I didn't see it hatch. Taken on 15th May approx. 3.5mm diameter.

mickmassie · #6 (**permalink**) 17-11-2009, 07:31 AM

the ball on the water barrel with the woven thread supporting it

Could be one of the Ero species perhaps ?

M.

JRsbugs · #7 (**permalink**) 17-11-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickmassie

the ball on the water barrel with the woven thread supporting it

Could be one of the Ero species perhaps ?

M.

I think you have hit the nail on the head mick! I found the most common Ero species which is Ero furcata, look at this egg sac, spot on! As the other Ero species are not so common I think this is most likely the one.

File:Ero.furcata.egg.sac.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mimetidae

I may have a pic of the spider too, one I found in the 'green' recycyle bin at the end of March but I didn't get the best of pics due to it being in a web low down. I had two spiders there, put them both out after taking pics.

Thanks!

JRsbugs · #8 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 12:36 AM

I found a pic of a Pirate spider's egg sac which has a similar outer weaving, but is not suspended. The inner covering is orange! This may be a clue to the orange mass under the leaf.

Pirate Spider Eggs on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Jason Green · #9 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 12:45 AM

Morning Janet,

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaguarondi

Janet, to me, it looks more like a rust (Uromyces) pustule than anything, but I'm probably wide of the mark.

Another recruit for the Rust camp I'm afraid! Well done on getting it to Genus too, Jag.

Your photo in the fourth post in this thread looks like a wrapped-up prey item to me Janet, not sufficiently spiderling-like for me.

I know what you mean about being one-handed with leaves - that and camera-holding becomes a bit of a balancing act! Now, you try that with a shutter speed of 1/20th in poor light...

Take care,

Jason

JRsbugs · #10 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Morning Janet,

Another recruit for the Rust camp I'm afraid! Well done on getting it to Genus too, Jag.

Your photo in the fourth post in this thread looks like a wrapped-up prey item to me Janet, not sufficiently spiderling-like for me.

I know what you mean about being one-handed with leaves - that and camera-holding becomes a bit of a balancing act! Now, you try that with a shutter speed of 1/20th in poor light...

Take care,

Jason

Jason, enlarge the orange mass, no way is that rust. Also the 'wrapped-up prey' item is no way that, there's a lot of thick leggy type things all the same throughout.

I hear Specsavers is good!