Bottlecap-size Cat-Faced Spider (Araneus gemmoides, Araneidae) on its web - with prey
I believe this is a large bottlecap-size Cat-Faced Spider (Araneus gemmoides, Araneidae) on its web in the narrow space between our little greenhouse and our big house, with a tall cactus in the background. Near the screen-bottom of the photo, you can see a ball of black goo with a fly head sticking out of it that is all that's left of the spider's recent capture. I've seen spiders turn their prey into balls of goo before, and I suspect it's a kind of external digestion to liquify their prey before sucking it up. I can't explain why the fly's head is the last part to go. If you look very close, you can also see one of the spider's fangs. If you have the stomach for it, see my [Previous] photo (here) for a closer view of the goo. Arachtober 10. (San Marcos Pass, 10 October 2016)
Today was an interesting weather day with some clouds and cooler temps and wind. There's a rumor of rain next week. It's feels like autumn.
Bottlecap-size Cat-Faced Spider (Araneus gemmoides, Araneidae) on its web - with prey
I believe this is a large bottlecap-size Cat-Faced Spider (Araneus gemmoides, Araneidae) on its web in the narrow space between our little greenhouse and our big house, with a tall cactus in the background. Near the screen-bottom of the photo, you can see a ball of black goo with a fly head sticking out of it that is all that's left of the spider's recent capture. I've seen spiders turn their prey into balls of goo before, and I suspect it's a kind of external digestion to liquify their prey before sucking it up. I can't explain why the fly's head is the last part to go. If you look very close, you can also see one of the spider's fangs. If you have the stomach for it, see my [Previous] photo (here) for a closer view of the goo. Arachtober 10. (San Marcos Pass, 10 October 2016)
Today was an interesting weather day with some clouds and cooler temps and wind. There's a rumor of rain next week. It's feels like autumn.