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Sheila · over 100 messages posted Joined: 10 Nov 2002 Posts: 178

I was lucky enough to see an insect fall foul of this spider's web. She rushed down and very impressively and expertly wrapped him up. When she had brought him back to the centre of the web the other little spiders (males?) joined her. Throughout all this she had a little winged insect wandering on her body. Could that be a spider parasite? The fly is only just visible on this very reduced photograph next to her right back leg.

Does anyone know what the spiders are?

Sheila · over 100 messages posted Joined: 10 Nov 2002 Posts: 178

The body looks like a face, with two eyes and a large mouth. Presumably this is to scare away predators but I think it looks friendly.

Lamma-Gung · Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2004 8:59 am Post subject:

Great shots, Sheila!

Could you email me the first photo in full size, as I'd love to publish this most unusual shot in the next Lamma-zine, clickable to large size.

Sheila · over 100 messages posted Joined: 10 Nov 2002 Posts: 178

Thank you, Lamma-Gung.
I also found these fluffy yellow things,both on the same tree. I think it may be a nursery for the spiders. There are red things inside or something red colouring the outside. My curiosity is piqued.

Guy Mlller · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 1:54 am Post subject:

Not sure about the red & yellow job, but going back to the "Spider & Bug" theme, got this photo today of a Big Black Spider (similar to yellow & black "Woodland Spider") devouring a "Litchi Lantern Bug"

Sheila · over 100 messages posted Joined: 10 Nov 2002 Posts: 178

Guy Mlller · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 2:42 am Post subject:

Not sure about the little red ones - i've seen one of the large Black & Yellow "Woodland Spiders" with several of the smaller red ones in the same web, and I think I have a picture somewhere (if it came out) of one of the little red ones cacooned as if it was being saved for later.

Lamma-Gung · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 3:33 am Post subject:

Wow, guys, a lot of creepy crawly pictures today!

The littlle red ones are definitely the male of the species and they're safe in the web till one of them has succeeded in mating. But afterwards they're fair game for the huge females of this species, I think.

Guy Mlller · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 11:41 pm Post subject:

Don't think the little red ones are the male of the species - have seen the same little red ones in the web of a large "Woodland Spider" (Yellow & Black), and the male of that species is very similar to the female, except about a quarter of the size - so I think they are a separate species that hang out with other spiders.

Guy Mlller · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 11:48 pm Post subject:

Little red spider trying to cadge a meal from big Yellow & Black Spider

Guy Mlller · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 4:52 am Post subject:

Believe this may be the male of the Large Woodland Spider shown above.
This one is only about 3-4cm from toe to toe, whereas the one shown above was about 15cm from toe to toe.
And yes LG, my understanding is they get to mate once & then the male gets eaten by the female.
Think I got that the right way round.

Lamma-Gung · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 5:08 am Post subject:

Another wood spider, shot from below, from beneath that huge banyan tree (?) up in Tai Peng, opposite the Regent store. It was so small (1 inch or so) and low on the ground that I almost stepped into her web.

Guy Mlller · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 12:49 pm Post subject:

"His" web

Lamma-Gung · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 5:45 pm Post subject:

"Her" web.

We've already established earlier in this topic that these colourful wood spiders are all females. The male wood spiders are much much smaller and much more plain-looking..

Guy MIller · Over 1,000 messages posted Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 1156

Au contraire mon ami - it was supposed (by you) that the little red ones are the males because they have been photographed in the same web - however according to "HK Animals" (a copy of which I don't have with me to verify absolutely) says that the male is about 3-4cm (the same as photographed by yourself & I) - however the little red ones (as photographed & shown by Sheila & myself) are only about 1-1.5cm.
Also the same little red spiders were in the first photo by Sheila of what I think is a type of "Forest Spider" - & unless male spiders are a uniform "Little Red Spider" across the spider kingdom, it would suggest the little red ones are some sort of "hanger on".

However if somebody else is willing to step in & show/prove me to be wrong - I shall apologise & move along with my life with a slightly smacked ego. Wink

zep · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 7:41 pm Post subject:

Everything you always wanted to know about male and female Giant Wood Spiders can probably be found here.

http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/inverts/nephila.htm

The relevant phrase is probably:

"The male is many times smaller than the female, some are 1,000 smaller!"

Guy MIller · Over 1,000 messages posted Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 1156

Seems I may be wrong inasmuch as the male in other places is referred to as dull brown or black, & not as shown in previous images - although the reference is to the very similar Giant Silk Spider of similar appearance but with the same Latin names
.
And the "male" in the photo I posted 5 weeks ago is still in the same place & has grown no larger in the interim.

I'll keep an eye out for a mating pair.

Guy Mlller · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 10:11 pm Post subject:

Here's another spider to keep you going in the meantime

zep · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 11:25 pm Post subject:

I have heard that wolf spiders - the big flat ones that lurk on house walls, have a nasty bite. Anyone have first (or second) hand knowledge?

Guy MIller · Over 1,000 messages posted Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 1156

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