Pollen eating spider ID

Lord V · #1 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 07:51 AM

This spider walked into this potentilla flower and apparently started eating the pollen.
Any chance of an ID ?

Thanks
Brian v.

jaguarondi · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 08:22 AM

Anelosimus vittatus (fam Theridiidae) looks a good match and is a common species

Lord V · #3 (**permalink**) 06-06-2010, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaguarondi

Anelosimus vittatus (fam Theridiidae) looks a good match and is a common species

Thanks for the ID

Is it common for them to eat pollen ?
Brian v.

jaguarondi · #4 (**permalink**) 06-06-2010, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord V

Thanks for the ID

Is it common for them to eat pollen ?
Brian v.

Are you sure that's what it was doing?

Until a year ago the standard answer to queries like that was to say that spiders are entirely predatory on other creatures, but then a vegetarian jumping spider was discovered in Central America. So, I couldn't rule out yours feeding on pollen but it's more likely that, somehow, it was just obtaining moisture.