Along came a spider - Orchid Board

Junebug · #1 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 12:08 AM

A tiny red spider to be more specific. The droplets of water on his nearly invisible web first caught my attention. He was hard to see without the aid of my camera lense. Sorry I couldn't get a better close-up of him protecting his prey. His web was stretched across a patch of grass/weeds and he is belly side up in the photo. I've lived in Florida a long time but have never spotted one of these guys until now. He looks like he has a stinger on his bottom. Does anyone know his name?

Zoi2 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 02:28 AM

I don't have an ID for your spider, but your picture is really good. I love the water droplets on the web.
Joann

Lena · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 07:05 AM

Such a great photo. I don't think I've ever seen a spider like that.

snow · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 10:03 PM

maybe it,s the preye, not a spider.

orchidbingo · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoi2

I don't have an ID for your spider, but your picture is really good. I love the water droplets on the web.
Joann

I agree. The picture is great.

bingo

Paul · #6 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 12:25 AM

June, might this be it(red dwarf spider)?

Google Image Result for http://bugguide.net/images/raw/40DQI0L0E0Q0XQBRFKUR3KDQX0URLQJQN0TR90CRFKCQJKUR0Q K060FRIQH090K0QQTR90YRKQR0.jpg

Junebug · #7 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 11:46 AM

That looks very close. So I guess he/she is a Linyphiidae Erigoninae Ceraticelus... Whatever. Ceraticelus has sub-categories too but I don't think we should go there. Life's too short. I guess in layman terms it's a dwarf, ballooning, blanket/sheet web spider who lives in grasses, bushes and litter in North Temperate Zones. He's so tiny I would have missed him if it weren't for the droplet covered web. I took a photo of him in dry conditions this morning and placed a ruler next to him for size comparison. Many thanks for your help.