boreal jumping spider feeding on a western tent caterpillar (pic)

[Ecooper]

I took these pictures of a boreal jumping spider (Phidippus borealis) feeding on a western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californicum) last June. I spotted the spider just after it had caught the caterpillar and was dragging it across the leaf of one of the banana plants in my garden. It’s always amazing to see what large prey small spiders are able to catch and haul around. Sort of like me killing a bull moose and carrying it home for dinner.

Cheers,

EC

More information and photos: http://wp.me/p2wM8r-vO



P6290436 jumping spider and caterpillar copyright ernie cooper 2013 by ernie.cooper, on Flickr



P6290383 2 jumping spider and caterpillar copyright ernie cooper 2013 by ernie.cooper, on Flickr

 

[patrickfraser]

WOW! That's quite a catch. Both for the spider and you. It's wonderful that you can capture such nature in your "own backyard".

 

[sally]

I love the colors in this photo

 

[Digger]

Holy Mackerel ! That's some huge, gimongous dinner!