Hammock Spiders (Pityohyphantes, Linyphiidae) - mating not fighting
When I first saw these spiders, I seriously thought the bottom one was trying to eat the top one. My [Next] photo taken more from the side shows that they are really mating - and there is something downright sensual about what they are doing! They have adopted an interesting position that I don't think I've seen in spiders before. I'm sure they are Sheetweb Spiders (Linyphiidae), probably Hammock Spiders in the genus Pityohyphantes, see this photo. They are in a small tree of Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia, Fagaceae). (San Marcos Pass, 23 February 2019)
Hammock Spiders (Pityohyphantes, Linyphiidae) - mating not fighting
When I first saw these spiders, I seriously thought the bottom one was trying to eat the top one. My [Next] photo taken more from the side shows that they are really mating - and there is something downright sensual about what they are doing! They have adopted an interesting position that I don't think I've seen in spiders before. I'm sure they are Sheetweb Spiders (Linyphiidae), probably Hammock Spiders in the genus Pityohyphantes, see this photo. They are in a small tree of Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia, Fagaceae). (San Marcos Pass, 23 February 2019)