ID : Misumena vatia

[Andrew C]

Morning,

I have attached an image of a spider seen recently at Haldon Forest in Devon. I have this down as a female Misumena vatia and wanted to ask if that would be correct?

Regards,
Andrew.

[nikolai_avenger]

Morning.

Definitely not Misumena vatia as they don't build webs, preferring to ambush their prey. If you want Misumena vatia, you want to be looking in flowerheads and on plants, etc.

I think this is Araniella cucurbitina, possibly.

Cheers, Nik.

[Andrew C]

Morning Nik,

Thanks for putting me right. I shall have to wait for the sunflowers to grow as I think I usually get M. vatia lurking on them for flies, etc.

As for Araniella cucurbitina, I only have a female illustrated in my Roberts book so could it be a male?

Regards,
Andrew.

[nikolai_avenger]

I think the enlarged palps would be more visible on a male, and the abdomen not so 'plump'.



Cheers. Nik.

[nikolai_avenger]

Have a look here to see a good illustration of the difference between male and female.

Cheers. Nik.

[Andrew C]

Originally Posted by nikolai_avenger

Have a look here to see a good illustration of the difference between male and female.

Cheers. Nik.

Evening Nik,

Thanks for that. Looking between my images and the link as well as Google images seems to confirm it as Araniella cucurbitina.

Regards,
Andrew.

[Andrew C]

Evening,

Finally, I have a Misumenia vatia in the garden holding onto a bumblebee. It is now resident in the Allium species in the image. Impressive species.

Regards,
Andrew.

[RobAtkinson1]

Great photos. Those spiders really are amazing.

[Geoff F]

Your next challenge, Andrew, is to find one of the rather strange looking males.

I did discover a couple in my garden earlier this month; but it is mostly the females, in their various colour disguises, which I find. But I suppose they are simply easier to see.

[nikolai_avenger]

Excellent photos, Andrew. Keep 'em coming!

Would love to find this spider in my garden.

Cheers. Nik.