Tiny spider eating springtail

Bruce Williams · #1 (**permalink**) 19-03-2009, 12:43 AM

Northants, 16th March.

This is a very tiny spider (approximately 1.25mm). When I first saw it (even with my reading specs on) I thought it was an odd shaped insect. It was only when I saw it through the viewfinder that I realised it was a spider carrying its prey. It was fast moving and rarely stopped long enough for me to focus on it, so I was quite pleased when I saw that this shot was pretty much in focus.

Help with identification appreciated.

Bruce

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 19-03-2009, 01:30 AM

Hey Bruce!

Sorry I can't help with the spider, but the springtail is up the wrong way unfortunately for a 100% safe ID (but interesting, you can see the mouthparts)

I make the springtail to be 1.5mm at best, so I may assume it's immature - not too sure. Entomobrya intermedia is most likely to to distribution, but I have a slightly stronger suspicion it may be Entomobrya multifasciata as it has a bigger gap between the antennas, which look shorter and have sparse hairs along them. They also seem to tinge to pink which would be consistent with E. multifasciata - with E. intermedia it's usually just yellow.

Due to the said difficulties, you may prefer to just put it down as a 'Possible Entomobrya sp.' really. Do you have any others that may show the upperside, even out of focus?

I'm not the only WAB'er with an interest in Collembola though, so I'm sure you'll get more ideas soon!

Venger · #3 (**permalink**) 19-03-2009, 08:26 AM

Alway very hard to tell with very young juveniles, but it certainly looks a juvenile Philodromus spp

Bruce Williams · #4 (**permalink**) 19-03-2009, 09:50 AM

Thanks for your help with the spider id Des. I thought at such a small size that it might be a juvenile spider but wasn't sure until you confirmed it for me.

Jason - Thanks for your interest with the springtail. Unfortunately the springtail is upside-down in all the pics I took. However I do have a photo of a yellowish springtail that comes from the same shrub. There are always several of this species whenever I check the shrub. It may well be the same species so I'll dig out a pic and post it on the insect forum.

Bruce