A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Stenolemus bituberus
Nymph. At last I found a live one actually 'tickling' a web to lure a spider. These insects have modified forelegs and mouth parts and have two methods of preying upon spiders - stalking and luring. When stalking they slowly approach the spider, then tap on it with their antennae for up to 3 minutes before suddenly stabbing the spider with its rostrum. Luring involves 'tickling' the strands of the spider web and when the prey comes to investigate it again taps with antennae before stabbing.
Within the very rough bark of Ironbark (Eucalyptus tricarpa) in suburban back yard.
In the family Reduviidae (assassin bugs), and sub-family Emesinae (thread-legged insects) these tiny insects are spread over most of Australia. Pics 1 and 2 best show the insect working the web and pic 3 is to show the extent of furriness on the legs. Maybe the fine fur gives them some ability to avoid entrapment? They specialise in feeding on a wide range of spiders - Achaearanea, Badumna, Pholcus, and Stiphidion, and the families Salticidae and Uloboridae. http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/c...
Spotted on Oct 26, 2012
Submitted on Oct 27, 2012
11 Comments
Thaaanks.. very sinister to spiders Aunt.
Just had a look at this one- Great pics, Mark. would have loved to see a video with the bug in action. Maybe next time !!
Creepy, almost sinister little beast. Very cool.
Thanks all. I wish I had taken a little movie of this one now. It was fascinating to watch.
Cool!
Excellent! Fantastic spotting!
This is so awesome! Beautiful insect and interesting habits!
Wow! Awesome, Argy! Almost ghost-like!
Thanks nexttogone. My challenge now is to get some video of it in action. :)
This is too cool... Nice shots!
An entirely different looking American version of this critter by J... http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/157...