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Symbiotic Relationship between Spider and Fly The archetypal example of a predator prey relationship is the spider and the fly, the idea of these two creatures being in a relationship that didn&rsquo;t involve eating or being eaten would be farfetched to say the least, and yet this is what I observed.<br /> <br /> I spotted Artabrus erythrocephalus, a medium sized Saltycidae jumping spider on a leaf at shoulder height. I moved in for some images and soon noticed the fly underneath the spider. Naturally I assumed that this Diptera was dinner for the spider, up until the moment when the spider moved.<br /> <br /> The fly appeared to move with the spider. I encouraged the spider to move again and took a closer look, and sure enough, the fly was not being consumed, but was hiding underneath the spider.<br /> <br /> At one point, the spider transferred to the underside of the leaf and the fly still managed to follow, and back to the top of the leaf. I captured a series of images, but with my poor eyesight, I had no clue as to what was going on.<br /> <br /> I continued to observe, but my disturbance caused the spider to jump to an adjacent leaf. The fly followed, landing in front of the spider. The arachnid raised her front legs, and I truly thought the fly was toast, but then the legs lowered and the fly once again, took its position under the spider.<br /> <br /> Obviously symbiotic, but at the time, I could not figure out what the spider got out of the relationship. A few weeks after the shoot, I zoomed in and noticed that the fly appeared to be feeding off the spider. Further research revealed that Nephila has been known to allow a fly to clean its fangs after feeding, then, it all fell into place. The fly was cleaning the fangs and around the mouth of the spider after a meal.<br /> <br /> The fly was probably a Milichid, which are known for kleptoparasite behavior.<br /> <br /> As far as I know, this particular relationship has not been photographed and extensive searches did not bring up any images of such scenes as this, so I do believe these images are unique.<br /> <br /> Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/38384/symbiotic_relationship_between_spider_and_fly.html" title="Symbiotic Relationship between Spider and Fly"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2784/38384_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1763596810&Signature=f5UXBpBfXI6i3BXHPGgaq0QoYdc%3D" width="152" height="152" alt="Symbiotic Relationship between Spider and Fly This symbiotic arrangement between these two individuals of separate species is not normal and cannot be considered to be instinctive, hereditary or genetically induced.<br /> <br /> I do agree that most of a bug&#039;s behaviour is sufficiently repetitive to be stored genetically and its life functions do not have to be learned; walking, flying, mating, nest building, food collection etc. are all automatic knowledge. However, decisions still have to be made.<br /> <br /> In the case of this symbiotic relationship, a considerable thought process had to occur on both sides:<br /> <br /> Fly &ndash; the spider is dangerous and wants to eat me. I can sense surplus food that the spider is not consuming. If I show cautious interest in the excess food, will the spider grant me access?<br /> <br /> Spider &ndash; there excess food on my fangs that I cannot remove. The fly is a small meal, but I have just eaten and do not require food. The fly shows interest in my excess food problem, should I grant access?<br /> <br /> The above thought process must take place on both sides for the natural instinct of both species to be overwritten. This is clear proof that bugs are capable of complex thought processes.<br /> <br /> Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/38385/symbiotic_9995.html Artabrus erythrocephalus,Bandung,Fall,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Milichid,Milichiidae,West Java,fly,spider,symbiotic,symbiotic relationship" /></a></figure><br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/38382/symbiotic_relationship_between_spider_and_fly.html" title="Symbiotic Relationship between Spider and Fly"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2784/38382_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1763596810&Signature=F6A7tqjzuzW5S%2Bqsc1prLKcFYpQ%3D" width="200" height="200" alt="Symbiotic Relationship between Spider and Fly Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/38385/symbiotic_9995.html Artabrus erythrocephalus,Bandung,Fall,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Milichid,Milichiidae,West Java,fly,spider,symbiotic,symbiotic relationship" /></a></figure><br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/38383/symbiotic_relationship_between_spider_and_fly.html" title="Symbiotic Relationship between Spider and Fly"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2784/38383_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1763596810&Signature=lfvskWVbN2zVIKwwFU4xm4ewkEM%3D" width="200" height="200" alt="Symbiotic Relationship between Spider and Fly Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/38385/symbiotic_9995.html Artabrus erythrocephalus,Bandung,Fall,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Milichid,Milichiidae,West Java,fly,spider,symbiotic,symbiotic relationship" /></a></figure> Artabrus erythrocephalus,Bandung,Fall,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Milichid,Milichiidae,West Java,fly,spider,symbiotic,symbiotic relationship Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Symbiotic Relationship between Spider and Fly

The archetypal example of a predator prey relationship is the spider and the fly, the idea of these two creatures being in a relationship that didn’t involve eating or being eaten would be farfetched to say the least, and yet this is what I observed.

I spotted Artabrus erythrocephalus, a medium sized Saltycidae jumping spider on a leaf at shoulder height. I moved in for some images and soon noticed the fly underneath the spider. Naturally I assumed that this Diptera was dinner for the spider, up until the moment when the spider moved.

The fly appeared to move with the spider. I encouraged the spider to move again and took a closer look, and sure enough, the fly was not being consumed, but was hiding underneath the spider.

At one point, the spider transferred to the underside of the leaf and the fly still managed to follow, and back to the top of the leaf. I captured a series of images, but with my poor eyesight, I had no clue as to what was going on.

I continued to observe, but my disturbance caused the spider to jump to an adjacent leaf. The fly followed, landing in front of the spider. The arachnid raised her front legs, and I truly thought the fly was toast, but then the legs lowered and the fly once again, took its position under the spider.

Obviously symbiotic, but at the time, I could not figure out what the spider got out of the relationship. A few weeks after the shoot, I zoomed in and noticed that the fly appeared to be feeding off the spider. Further research revealed that Nephila has been known to allow a fly to clean its fangs after feeding, then, it all fell into place. The fly was cleaning the fangs and around the mouth of the spider after a meal.

The fly was probably a Milichid, which are known for kleptoparasite behavior.

As far as I know, this particular relationship has not been photographed and extensive searches did not bring up any images of such scenes as this, so I do believe these images are unique.

Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.

Symbiotic Relationship between Spider and Fly This symbiotic arrangement between these two individuals of separate species is not normal and cannot be considered to be instinctive, hereditary or genetically induced.<br /> <br /> I do agree that most of a bug's behaviour is sufficiently repetitive to be stored genetically and its life functions do not have to be learned; walking, flying, mating, nest building, food collection etc. are all automatic knowledge. However, decisions still have to be made.<br /> <br /> In the case of this symbiotic relationship, a considerable thought process had to occur on both sides:<br /> <br /> Fly – the spider is dangerous and wants to eat me. I can sense surplus food that the spider is not consuming. If I show cautious interest in the excess food, will the spider grant me access?<br /> <br /> Spider – there excess food on my fangs that I cannot remove. The fly is a small meal, but I have just eaten and do not require food. The fly shows interest in my excess food problem, should I grant access?<br /> <br /> The above thought process must take place on both sides for the natural instinct of both species to be overwritten. This is clear proof that bugs are capable of complex thought processes.<br /> <br /> Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/38385/symbiotic_9995.html Artabrus erythrocephalus,Bandung,Fall,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Milichid,Milichiidae,West Java,fly,spider,symbiotic,symbiotic relationship

Symbiotic Relationship between Spider and Fly Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/38385/symbiotic_9995.html Artabrus erythrocephalus,Bandung,Fall,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Milichid,Milichiidae,West Java,fly,spider,symbiotic,symbiotic relationship

Symbiotic Relationship between Spider and Fly Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/38385/symbiotic_9995.html Artabrus erythrocephalus,Bandung,Fall,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Milichid,Milichiidae,West Java,fly,spider,symbiotic,symbiotic relationship

    comments (1)

  1. View Jivko Nakev's profile
    Jivko Nakev
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Amazing! Great find! Posted 9 years ago

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The Artabrus erythrocephalus

Artabrus erythrocephalus is a jumping spider in the Artabrus genus.

Info 10 0
Similar species: Spiders
Species identified by Vodkaman
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By Vodkaman

All rights reserved
Uploaded Apr 29, 2016. Captured Apr 14, 2013 08:53 in Jl. Lavender No.8, Ciwaruga, Parongpong, Kabupaten Bandung Barat, Jawa Barat, Indonesia.
country flag of Indonesia Explore Indonesia 10,769 2,575 0
  • NIKON D7000
  • f/8.0
  • 1/60s
  • ISO100
  • 105mm
Captured in the fall. More fall photos.

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