This Jumping Spider (most likely a Phidppus carolinensis) was observed lowering itself on a web with prey in hand. This spider’s victim appears to be some kind of the stink bug or squash bug. The spider eventually came to rest on a vine where he began devouring his early morning meal.
Observation Details
| County | – | Denton |
|
| City | – | Plano | |
| Date | – | Jun 26, 2012 | |
| Time of Day | – | Morning | |
| Temperature | – | Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C) | |
| Weather | – | Clear | |
| Habitat | – | Recreation-Park | |
| Type of Behavior | – | Feeding | |
| Gender | – | Uncertain | |
| Maturity | – | Adult | |
| Observer | – | Chris Jackson | |
| Main Article | – | Jumping Spider | Observation Location |
Chris, this spider has nabbed what appears to be a hemipteran called a conenosed bug, kissing bug, kissing beetle, etc. It is likely a Triatoma sp. See if this looks like the critter to you:
http://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/biting-stinging/others/ent-3008/
Keep up the good work!
John Davis
Well, John, I like that suggestion, but I cannot be certain from the photographs. Here are a couple of things I noticed… The coloration, while close, it appears to be more vivid on the conenosed bug. Also the legs of the conenosed bug appear dantier and they lack the striping that I see in my photographs.
I did a quick google search looking for pictures of conenosed bugs photographed at different angles, and stumbled across this photograph from the same citybugs.tamu.edu website: http://agrilife.org/citybugs/files/2010/05/Brochymena-tree-stink-bug.jpg
This is labeled as a Brochymena Tree Stink Bug… from the looks of things, it deserves consideration as well. There are probably many others!
Thanks for the comment!
Chris