Strolling through the woods near Ithaca, New York, one October afternoon, I saw, upon a leafless hemlock-branch, what looked like a piece of the net of some geometrical spider. Still, there was a regularity in this triangular net which did not accord with the idea of its being a fragment. A closer examination showed that its form and structure were perfect and unbroken; and moreover that, instead of hanging loosely from the twigs, it was upon the stretch, as if constantly drawn by a power at one or the other end.
On touching the net to determine its degree of tension, what was my amazement to see it suddenly loosened with a snap, as if let go at one end! Nor was my wonder diminished when, a moment afterward, the net slowly regained its original condition, by a steady pulling upon a short line connected with the apex. And now I saw the puller—a little dull-colored spider, about one-eighth of an inch long—hanging from the under side of the apex-line, and hauling it in, not "hand over hand," as at first appeared, and as one would suppose by analogy with sailors' operations, but "foot over foot;" in short, with its hinder legs moved alternately so as to gradually take in that part of the line which intervened between its body and the twig to which it was attached.
In bushes. Oaks nearby.
I found it walking a very long silk thread from two high plants, at eyes level. So lucky find 😍
This species is re-discovered after 136 years of presumed extinction, after a single (holotype) specimen was collected in 1885 (Natura Croatia, 2022;31(2):217-224, https://hrcak.srce.hr/en/clanak/417209 and Linzer biol. Beitr 2022:54(1):251-256; https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/LBB_0054_1_0251-0256.pdf). The main feature of the species is the black marking on the male clypeus. Females were firstly observed and described from this location. Currently considered endemic to Croatian coast, including the Mosor, Kozjak and Dinara Mountains.
More images later
Playing hide and seek in my orchard
A female Giant Ichneumon wasp (Megarhyssa macrurus) oviposits into the side of a tree.
I was honored to have this observation selected as observation of the day for June 11, 2020, and again as observation of the week (week of June 21, 2020). It is covered in this blog post: A Trip to Texas Provides a Long Sought Photographic Opportunity - Observation of the Week, 6/21/20.
Genitalia Identified Eratigena serrana
Reference: https://araneae.nmbe.ch/data/5067
Thomisidae, famiglia-Arthropoda-Chelicerata-Arachnida-Araneae-Araneomorphae-Entelegynae-Thomisioidea-Thomisidae_Thomisinae-Misumenini-maschio
This is a captive specimen of the somewhat rare Hemerocallis fulva var. rosea which was originally found in central China. They were brought into cultivation from wild collected seeds. From that initial introduction this specific seedling was selected for further propagation and sharing among daylily breeders because of how attractive it was. This wild Chinese selection is credited as being the original source of pink coloration in cultivated hybrid daylilies.
Most cultivated daylilies with similar color to this should be assumed to be of hybrid origin unless they are of known provenance since this pure species form is not very available and may not exist much outside of the collections of serious enthusiasts. Presumably the only place that truly wild sightings of this variety should be found is in China.
The most commonly seen specimens of H. fulva do contain the same reddish-pink anthocyanin pigment known as cyanidin-3-rutinoside, but appear primarily orange due to also producing two carotinoids (zeaxanthin and lutein). For more information see: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279482000_Flower_Pigments_within_Hemerocallis_fulva_L_fm_fulva_fm_rosea_and_fm_disticha
In the garden, a few dozen meters away from a corn field.
Not P. phalangioides which has faint to no stripes on the clypeus.
Growing on old Fomitopsis mounceae (I think). Found in a heavily managed forest, between clearcuts.
Under a medium sized rock in a decididous forest of Castanea, Quercus and Eucalyptus.
Two individuals together.
Found at night in the garden over a stone.
It exhibited a curious behaviour: it played dead when I tried to catch it gently to take some pictures. It allowed to be rolled upside down and didn't move its legs. Then when left on a white paper, it still played dead, and when touched with a small leave, it would very smoothly change its legs position to remain still again. It didn't really moved for some time, but I noticed it was not dead as I initially thought. When I released it, it just run away.
Project GreenRehab - Green rehabilitation system for burned soils based on the inoculation of native cyanobacteria and microalgae (FCT PCIF/RPG/0077/2017)
Mating hanging from a thread of around 20cm, spinning.
Around 10mm in length. Attracted to light in the early night. Some images under UV light, hence the weird eyes.
Found under a rock in a young decidous forest mainly composed by Quercus robur trees.
Under the same rock this observation was made: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153612128
Individual length: 8-9 mm
? found between plants near the ground and not on Picea sp.
Hello! I need to identify this spider and I can't. It measures less than 2 millimeters in body length, similar to Ruborridion musivum but smaller and with an intense orange color. I think it is theridiidae, but I don't see anything like it, and I don't know if there is any linyphiidae that could give rise to confusion. It was found in Castellón, Spain.
I appreciate any help.
Sorry if the photos aren't as sharp as I'd like, but it's so small I can't enlarge better.
Thank you very much!