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Mastophora sp.
The most awesomely bizarre spider I've ever found! This spider looked exactly like a bird dropping at first glance. Bolas Spiders are unusual orb-weaver spiders that do not spin the typical web. Instead, they hunt by using a sticky 'capture blob' of silk on the end of a line, known as a 'bolas'. By swinging the bolas at flying male moths or moth flies nearby, the spider may snag its prey rather like a fisherman snagging a fish on a hook. Because of this, they are also called angling or fishing spider (although the remotely related genus Dolomedes is also called fishing spider). The prey is lured to the spider by the production of up to three pheromone-analogues.
Semi rural
I'm pretty sure this is either Mastophora leucabulba or M. cornigera - can anyone confirm the species for me?
Spotted on Sep 9, 2013
Submitted on Sep 9, 2013
49 Comments (1–25)
Here is an amazing video clip from David Attenborough's Life in the Undergrowth showing a bolas spider hunting http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Orb-wea...
Thanks meesha!
Very strange juan!
amazing!!!great job!!
Thanks guys!
There is spider, and there are spiders. Wonderful!
Great series! Congratulations!
Nice!
Nice series Karen
Yes ! So many vivid types of spiders and an amazing life style they have!
Thank you Noel & namitha!
Adarsha, I agree, I've always been fascinated by spiders but the amazing specimens I see here have turned me into a real arachnophile!
Congrats Karen! Great series and info!
Congratulations Karen! These days Spiders are rocking.
First Bird dropping spider from Tic, then bird dung spider from me, then jumping spider from Cindy, then Bolas spider from you :) Spider year :)
Congratulations Karen. A, really amazing and unique spotting.
Wow! Thank you for the honor Yasser, & thank you everyone for your kind comments!
I never cease to be amazed by the incredible critters I find in our yard but this one is definitely one of the most weird & wonderful!
Gross I got poop on my arm... wait no... its a spider! Ah! ;p Great spotting Karen Congrats!
It does look so like bird droppings - great shots, Karen and Congratulations !!
Congratulations!!!
congrats for yet another treasure from 'Goose Creek"
Congratulations Karen for your spottings, your SOTD and all your hard work! Wonderful spider.
Congratulations Karen ...Awesome spotting !
Congratulations on this awesome SOTD, Karen!
Congrats, Karen! Very cool spider :)
Congratulations on a well deserved SotD Karen !
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations, Karen.