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Thread-legged Bug (Stenolemus bituberus) A delicate predacious insect from the Reduviidae family. It&#039;s long legs were covered with fuzzy setae (hairs). The mid and hind legs were resting on the web silk while the front pair of legs were held up folded in front of the head. The antennae looked much like another pair of legs. Wings were white with brown patterns.<br /> This species preys on a variety of spiders. It uses the antennae to pluck on web silk , thus luring the spider close and when close enough, the bug stabs the spider with its rostrum. <br /> This one was spotted on the outer webbing of a spider&#039;s home ! Australia,Geotagged,Spring,Stenolemus bituberus Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Thread-legged Bug (Stenolemus bituberus)

A delicate predacious insect from the Reduviidae family. It's long legs were covered with fuzzy setae (hairs). The mid and hind legs were resting on the web silk while the front pair of legs were held up folded in front of the head. The antennae looked much like another pair of legs. Wings were white with brown patterns.
This species preys on a variety of spiders. It uses the antennae to pluck on web silk , thus luring the spider close and when close enough, the bug stabs the spider with its rostrum.
This one was spotted on the outer webbing of a spider's home !

    comments (3)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    So cool that we now have a photo of one in isolation, such a strange creature! Posted 9 years ago
  2. View Mark Ridgway's profile
    Mark Ridgway
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Love those leg warmers. Very well done with your cam.. it was so tiny. Posted 9 years ago
  3. View marinusdejager's profile
    marinusdejager
    Green Fly
    View Green Fly class
    Dear Leuba

    Fantastic photo! I was hoping that I will be able to use this image for a scientific manuscript I am writing on mimicry. I will of course give you full acknowledgement for the photo. Please let me know at mdj@sun.ac.za.

    Thank you
    Kind regards
    Marinus de Jager     Posted 8 years ago

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The Stenolemus bituberus

''Stenolemus bituberus'' is a species of thread-legged insect found across much of Australia. This species spends nearly its entire life in spider webs. It preys upon a variety of spiders, including webs and nests of spiders of ''Achaearanea'', ''Badumna'', ''Pholcus'', and ''Stiphidion'', and the families Salticidae and Uloboridae. This species is found in a broader diversity of spider webs than any other species in ''Stenolemus''.

Info 2 0
Similar species: True Bugs
Species identified by Leuba Ridgway
View Leuba Ridgway's profile

By Leuba Ridgway

All rights reserved
Uploaded Mar 19, 2016. Captured Nov 16, 2015 17:56 in 22 Forest Oak Dr, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156, Australia.
country flag of Australia Explore Australia 13,072 4,173 3
  • SZ-10
  • f/11.2
  • 10/1000s
  • ISO100
  • 10.99mm