Crab Spider as Dinner (Mecaphesa)?

Caught this crab spider actively being killed by an assassin bug. Interesting how the flies are waiting to get some for themselves. The assassin was a Largus Maculatus Nymph.

comments (6)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Very cool behavioral shot, Deb. Posted 5 years ago
1. DebRich
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you Ferdy! It was a little tough to stomach : ) Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    If I'm not mistaken, assassin bugs use the "milkshake" approach :) Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. DebRich
      
      Lion
      
      Yes, you can barely see in the upper center of the photo, i believe it's the assassin bug's head with eyes visible. I wish I could post a photo, however it is the same species of assassin bug nymph I have posted previously. I saw the spider struggling under the assassin bug's head. Posted 5 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        What's really cool in this shot is that it's a double ambush, as the prey is also an ambush predator. Posted 5 years ago

DebRich

Lion

Yes I had been trying to get a photo of a crab spider’s prey (a fly) wrapped in a cocoon. I have not been successful. I guess this is karma. Posted 5 years ago

No species identified

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By DebRich

Uploaded Jul 10, 2020. Captured Oct 23, 2011 11:23 in 216 W Magnolia Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA.

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NIKON D5100
f/1.0
10/2000s
ISO200

Captured in the fall. More fall photos.