An Ambusher #3

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An Ambusher #3
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3337 W: 139 N: 3772] (9906)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-10
Categories: Insects
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Joe's Favourites 2, Arthropods from Turkey & Cyprus [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-15 3:02
Viewed: 515
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 60
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Misumena vatia (Flower Crab Spider) (A Female)#3

Dear Friends, thanks for the kind critiques/comments on the previous posting. Four days ago, I have uploaded a capture to show a predator-prey interaction between a flower crab spider and a honey bee from another different view point. Here's another shot of this subject, but this time a bit closer in. As I seen this event is widespread around the Ödemiş.

Hoping that you like this shot as well!


Cheers,

Bayram

*****************************

Crab spiders make up the Thomisidae family of the Araneae (spiders) order which are most familiar of arachnids. They are called crab spiders because they resemble crabs, with two front pairs of legs angled outward and bodies that are flattened and often angular. Also, like crabs, Thomisidae can move sideways or backwards. They are very maneuverable in tight places.

Crab spiders do not build webs to trap prey. They are hunters and ambushers. Crab spiders are no active hunters. They make more use of the camouflage techniques than other spiders and catch their prey with their front legs. The color of the spider is adapted to the hunting terrain they use and is mostly extravagant. They remain unmoved until the prey arrives and catches it. With a poisonous bite (not dangerous to humans) they kill their prey and suck it dry. They can be found on flowers or leaves of plants. Often the crab spider remains for days, even weeks at the same spot. The front two legs, that are often larger and stronger than the other six, are held sideways, ready to catch the prey immediately. When they spot a possible enemy they move quickly at the other site of the flower or leave. Their eyesight is excellent developed as can be seen on the pictures. They have normally two big front eyes. Though their chelicerae, or jaws, are rather small and slender, many crab spiders possess potent venoms that quickly immobilize their prey. Flower spiders, a particular type of crab spider, rest on flowers and remain motionless for long periods of time with their front two pairs of legs extended in readiness. They ambush butterflies, bees, flies, and other flower visitors; their venoms enable them to successfully attack insects much larger than themselves. They do not wrap their prey in silk after biting, but instead remain with the immobilized prey until they have sucked it dry.

Misumena vatia sit on or among flowers where they grab visiting insects. It can change its color between white and yellow (sometimes pale green with thin red lines on abdomen) to match the flower it sits on. Its size is between 4 - 8 mm. Males very much smaler than the females. Other species, with their flattened bodies, hunt in the crevices of tree trunks or under loose bark. Members of the genus Xysticus hunt in the leaf litter on the ground. In each case, crab spiders use their powerful front legs to grab and hold onto prey while paralyzing it with a venomous bite.

As can be seen on my capture they can catch honey bees ( Apis mellifera). The spider seizes the bee by its front legs and bites it in the neck. The spider keeps its hold on the bee till the bee gives up its resistance.

References:

1. Wikipedia .
2. Chinery, M. (1986). Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe, Collins, Glasgow, 320 pp.
Jamesp, PaulH, nkasot, zulfu, yasemin, bahadir, marhowie, xTauruSx, maurydv, eng55, jaycee, Gert-Paassen, gerbilratz, rousettus, vanderschelden, gracious, kaytan, meyerd, degani, haraprasan, montivipera, gannu, jpdenk, goldyrs, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Jamesp: Hi Jamesboreocypriensis 3 05-15 23:51
To joey: Hi My friend Joeboreocypriensis 1 05-15 13:59
To betsie: Hi & Thanksboreocypriensis 1 05-15 04:07
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 981 W: 17 N: 2563] (9450)
  • [2008-05-15 3:19]

Hi Bayram,
Nature in it's rawest form here. Fascinating image to study, great detail and perfect POV - very well done!
Paul

Nefis bir makro daha hocam. Elinize sağlık.
Selamlar,
Nazım

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 441 W: 0 N: 68] (472)
  • [2008-05-15 3:30]

Bayram hocam bu çekim daha detaylı. Örümceğin arıyı kavraması daha ayrıntılı görünüyor. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Bayram muthis detali bir resim ve doganin gerceklerini de harika yansitiyor. Tesekkurler. Leyla

Hocam sizden mükemmel bir makro çekim daha. Gerçekten bu daha ayrıntılı olmuş. Emeğinize sağlık.
Bahadır

Very good photo - never seen one of these before!! Well done.

Hi Bayram,
Love these spider with prey captures, nice job.
Good POV of the action, well focused where it must be at the head.
Great color, exposure, details and composed well.
I've noticed the crab spiders always seem to bite the bees in this same area behind the head..
The logical choice, nature is very efficient. He designed this cold-blooded killer perfectly :)
Howard

Hocam walla olayı can damarından almışsınız bu defa. Hayat böyle hep acımasız. Ne de olsa doğal:). Elinize sağlık. Paylaşım için teşekkürler.
Deniz

Spettacolare macro, eccellenti POV e DOF, bellissima composizione che sintetizza perfettamente l'azione predatrice, ottima nitidezza e straordinari dettagli, magnifici i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 339 W: 3 N: 371] (1095)
  • [2008-05-15 6:20]

Hi Bayram,
Scary scane for honeybee.You caught the action very well.I liked POV,DOF and composition a lot.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 8 N: 4022] (13255)
  • [2008-05-15 9:15]

Hi Bayram,

The close-up is even more dynamic. You caught the action perfectly. Excellent view of both the bee and the spider. Superb details in this wonderful shot.

Jane

Hello Bayram,

A very beautivul capture again. Good sharpness. Superb composition. Wonderful colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

WOW, What quality! The sharpness and details are amazing! I have heard your name and saw the picture today. This weekend i'll make it point to go thru ur gallery this weekend :-)
TFS
Goutham

Hello Bayram,

Great detailed picture.
Good pov and exellent sharpness.

Gert

Hi Bayram, this is on my favourite list, just a perfect shot of a corner of nature, real life and death, but a great, well detailed and composed image.regards h

Hi Bayram, again this terrible spider, poor bee... superb macro with fantastic colors, wonderful capture, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1555 W: 233 N: 5091] (17959)
  • [2008-05-15 13:48]
  • [+]

Exceptional macro of this bee and Crab Spider, Bayram!!!
There is so much detail and it's very clear and crisp.
Superb composition.
Very good lighting too.
Brilliant DOF.
One of your best so far, Geckoman!
Straight into my favourites!

Cheers!!

Joe

harika bir mimikri ve onun avlanmayla sonuçlanan faydası. eline sağlık, güzel belge olmuş. çekim de çok başarılı. selamlar.

Definitely another POV, Bayram.
Same critique as previous one. Forgot to mention the natural colours, I believe.
Well done
TFS
Annick

Merhaba Dr.Bayram,
Selam!
what can you ask for more than this super fine macro!
absolutely fascinating and amazing!
toal sharpness, beautiful colour and superb details in every corner of it
very well done
greeting
Tony

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1223 W: 0 N: 4449] (13290)
  • [2008-05-15 22:37]
  • [+]

Hi Bayram

Greetings from A Dhabi

A macro with superb colour and excellent detail. Well observed and captured.


James

Hi Bayram,
you have an awesome output of interesting and high quality photography. For once I can say that I find your preceding picture a little better, particularly because of the composition. It's a classic trade-off: here you can see much more details like the eyes of the spider, the mouthparts clutching the spider, but on the other hand only parts of the flower. As you dare get ever closer to your objects there is also the issue of the DOF. Be assured, we all have the same problems and there are no rules that can be applied. Thanks for showing us your several choices!
As always, best regards
Dietrich

hi dear friend,
this picture is wonderful, great colours and composition and great brightness, really beautiful
kind regards
franco

Hi Bayram,
A lovely capture of this ambuser and the prey. Excellent composition and sharp details. Very well seen. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Merhaba Hocam,
Önceki fotoğrafın daha ayrıntılı bir görüntüsü olmuş. Örümceğin keliserleriyle kavrayışı çok güzel görünüyor. Paylaşım için teşekkürler.
Saygılar
Naşit

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 729 W: 4 N: 1811] (8608)
  • [2008-05-16 6:57]

Hello Bayram, What a stunning shot. Just superb. The head on the spider and the life is ending. Superb compositon. Ganesh

Hi Bayram,

Another beautiful shot, but I can't help feeling bad for the bee. I'm very glad that spiders (predatory insects as well) can't get big enough to prey on humans, what an awful way to die!

Thanks,
John

A lovely composition and shot overall, dear Bro.
Cheers!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1687 W: 20 N: 4738] (15476)
  • [2008-05-17 18:48]

Hi Bayram,
Wonderful close-up action shot and you have freezed this moment so nicely. Immaculate sharpness, details and colours. I feel pity for that Bee but the ambushing qualities of these Crab Spiders are amazing. Excellent POV and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Great shot uncle... what a perfect action shot.. amazing details of this event... tfs... cypturk

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