Monday, November 10, 2014

Falling back, part two

Although the wasp kept its distance, other insects were more willing to get close to the spider in order to get a meal.  See if you can find them in the picture below.

The black-and-yellow argiope (Argiope aurantia) spider and its prey.
If they are too small to find in the picture above, this close-up should help.

Two small flies are sitting on the spider's wrapped-up prey.
The spider is clutching a prey item already wrapped in white silk -- and if you look closely on the left and top of the white package, you can see two very small flies.  These appear to be freeloader flies (Milichiidae), which are often found in the seemingly hazardous occupation of feeding on the kills of spiders and other predators.

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