Colourful bug captured by spider

Bruce Williams · #1 (**permalink**) 26-06-2009, 08:28 PM

Northants.

Size of bug (nymph?) is 2.25mm excluding antennae.

The spider had already caught the bug when I first came across them. It held onto the bug like this for maybe 4 or 5 minutes and then just let it go. Having been released the bug produced a small bubble from it's abdomen and just stood there for a couple of minutes. It then moved off - seemingly unaffected? I lost sight of the bug however I watched the spider for a further ~5 minutes but it never returned to where it let the bug go.

So my questions are:

Help with identification of spider and bug pls.

Do you think the bug will survive?
Do you think the spider just gave up (fangs unable to penetrate abdomen possibly) or was it intending to return once the venom took effect?

Bruce

asheleaf · #2 (**permalink**) 26-06-2009, 08:37 PM

looks like it could be a Heterotoma planicornis nymph.

Ashe

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 26-06-2009, 09:03 PM

Your spider is pale, Bruce. Maybe it's a juvenile Philodromus sp. As such, perhaps on this occasion it was unable to successfully finish off the bug and just let it go? Just a suggestion to be getting on with!

Bruce Williams · #4 (**permalink**) 26-06-2009, 11:19 PM

Thanks Ashe - I did a quick Google and no doubt that you're on the money with H. planicornis.

Thanks for the helpful pointer Jason - appreciated as always.

Bruce