Misumena vatia with prey by durleybeachbum
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Description
I'm not sure what the flies are doing. Are they helpers or opportunist hangers -on?
The flower is Helianthus 'Lemon Queen'. She was several days waiting and remained white, but once she change her disguise to yellow success quickly followed!
Comments (19)
jayfar
What a fab shot this is and one for the Natural History bods I would think !!
blinkings
So she changes herself to yellow? AMAZING!
dwarvenkind
Creepy crab spider. I captured one of these hiding in ragweed, a couple of years ago. Nice shot.
Hendesse
There's a lot going on. Excellent shot!!
Faemike55
Fabulous and very cool capture I did not know they could change colour
T.Rex
Amazing that they "know" to go for the neck of their victims. And this despite that insects don't have a brain and spinal cord, only 2 chains of nerves and ganglia along each side of their bodies. Looks like the bee's hair didn't help protect it much. The flies are probably there for a free meal, and maybe then become her desert! Good job observing and photographing! Keep it up! :-)
helanker
WOW! That was one huge prey. Yeah the little flies are proud to be so close to this big bee, without fear for once....not noticing the really monster to fear.
jendellas Online Now!
What an amazing photo!!
Adobe_One_Kenobi
Who knows? The habits of flies disgusting as they are, may be a form of attraction to dead or rotting things, although that said, the spider has obviously made a fresh kill. Maybe the bees pheromone attracts them? Even after all these past centuries, the knowledge we have gleaned about insects Arthropoda arachnids etc even to the most discerning entomologists, is really just scratching the surface. As a well read and remarkably intelligent lady, I feel sure you have heard that statement that we know more about outer space, than we do about the bottom of our oceans Isn't that amazing? Cracking shot Andrea.
MrsRatbag
Fascinating shot, Andrea; and I love that the spider's colour not only mimics the petals, but also has the same kind of patterning. Amazing!
Juliette.Gribnau
cool... he has the same color as the flower... I think the prey didn't see him
CavalierLady
Amazing camouflage color on the spider - Amazing that he caught such a huge bee - Amazing that the flies are all around - and an Amazing shot!
jocko500
the gang is all here. poor bee .
wysiwig
My first thought was "Oh, how cruel. She's killed mom and left all those orphans." And then I put my glasses back on. I have the same feeling I had when I saw a lion kill in Africa. Horrified, heartbroken, and utterly spellbinding. I couldn't look away. An incredible capture and so sharp. I can see the crosses on the spider's back. I wonder if she will be able to keep the poor bee from falling off the petals.
auntietk
What a fascinating scene, and SO well shot!
Katraz
Great shot, Looks like the predator and the vultures.
kgb224
Amazing capture Andrea. God bless.
Mark-David-Rogers
Nobody could begrudge her this meal, she has been patient and selective and although as in all victims that become prey it's fair to say this is nature up close and personal in full effect. If you look at the zoom view and observe the fly at the bottom-right.. are they maybe seeking to lay eggs?
danapommet
A spectacular capture Andrea and I think that the flies are there for a piece of the action!