Macro (3.5mm) Spider

[c.j.]

Getting back into it…after being out of it! Major house repairs have kept me from my camera and photography. With that winding down, I've had a chance to get out into the 'wilds' and get a few shots.

Starting with a 'yet-to-be-id'ed' spider perched on a Blackfoot Daisy Melanpodium leucanthum. Actual length of body is 3.5 mm (cephalothorax and abdomen…yes, I measured it!)

While an obvious member of Arachnae family, the way it positions it's legs makes me think it could ne a mite. It behaved like a spider. When a small (I mean tiny!) fly landed near it, it perked up and assumed this position, ready to sweep the prey into it's ready pedipalps and hungry, gaping maw.


Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT
Canon Macro Lens EF 180mm 1:3.5
Canon Extender EF 1.4x II


Both shots cropped
Handheld

[Knight]

Sweet shots there C.J , Im just about to post a couple of my first Tube shots If i dont get called out to work again lol

[quetzal]

Very nice images, and a cool looking spider too.

[Old Timer]

Oh yeah. I love that white on white, very nice exposure control and excellent DOF and detail in the image.

[c.j.]

Oh yeah. I love that white on white, very nice exposure control and excellent DOF and detail in the image.

Thanks O.T., Quetzel, & Knight!

Appears to be a Green Lynx Spider Peucetia viridans Family Oxyopidae

I purchased several new guide books today.

Audubon's:
North American Insects & Spiders
Wildflowers
Butterflies
Reptiles & Amphibians

Additionally:
Butterflies of Arizona, A Photographic Guide



Hopefully, these will help me in my providing accurate information to all of you.





Kind of a sad day…I was out in the mist this morning trying to get 'vultures in flight' shots. The adult was standing on top of the utility pole and an adolescent flew up and electrocuted itself on the 'hot' wires by grounding itself. It fell to the ground. I attempted to resuscitate it, but it wouldn't respond. I tried chest compression, massage, but nothing worked. It was awful to watch the life leave the bird. I felt helpless…






CJ

[payn817]

Nice photo, and I too like the white on white.

As for the ID, it appears to be a crab spider. The reason for my thinking, is the longer (and heftier) front legs, and stubby abdomen. A green Lynx is typically a bright (almost flourescent) green, with black spiky hairs on it's long thin legs, and an elongated abdomen.

Still, a nice capture. Enjoy the books, i'd like to check those out too.

[c.j.]

Nice photo, and I too like the white on white.

As for the ID, it appears to be a crab spider. The reason for my thinking, is the longer (and heftier) front legs, and stubby abdomen. A green Lynx is typically a bright (almost flourescent) green, with black spiky hairs on it's long thin legs, and an elongated abdomen.

Still, a nice capture. Enjoy the books, i'd like to check those out too.

From the book quotes italicized

I, initially, thought crab spider, also. After reading the book, reading color variations (bright leaf green ivory-white or tan), eye placement (lynx spiders in general - six eyes form hexagon with 2 smaller eyes facing forward) , leg length and shape, hooks on the end of legs, chevron markings (abdomen marked above with three incomplete chevrons),etc., I went with Lynx Spider



I'm sticking with Lynx Spider.

[payn817]

No matter what it is, it's a nice capture of a neat tiny creature. I forgot that you are in the west, and there could be a variation of the species which is common here (the one I described). No harm meant. :thumbsup:

[c.j.]

No matter what it is, it's a nice capture of a neat tiny creature. I forgot that you are in the west, and there could be a variation of the species which is common here (the one I described). No harm meant. :thumbsup:

No harm taken!!!!!!!!

(note the 'sticking out tongue' thing)


:thumbsup:

I came from the east twelve years ago…it's a whole different country out here!!!

[paulnj]

Great job on finding this spider and getting great images, but I do believe payn817 is correct crab spider SP.

[c.j.]

Great job on finding this spider and getting great images, but I do believe payn817 is correct crab spider SP.

I'm going to continue to disagree, based on the information obtained from 'National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects & Spiders' pages 899-901 (Lynx Spiders) and page 906 (Crab Spiders), specifically noting Crab Spiders eye arrangement (quote, "8 small eyes that are often located on raised bumps in 2 backwards curved rows of 4 eyes each") You'll note the hexagon light bumps of eyes with the two black forward-facing smaller eyes.


Things are different out here. As much as there is great anecdotal info offered on this forum, I'm still sticking with my id, (unless an entomologist jumps in…), based on researched info from 'National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects & Spiders'

[paulnj]

Well...... I guess opening a bunch of threads , then leaving to eat dinner left me 30 minutes behind in the thread huh

I will go with lynx spider, but the green lynx IN MY AREA are neon green all over