Voracious green lynx, hanging on by one claw (6518471571)

Description:

Description: Hanging by one claw, this green lynx spider (Peucetia viridans) dropped the butterfly she had been feeding upon and caught this colorful wasp. While she fed, the wasp was swarmed by tiny micro-flies called "freeloader flies". These tiny flies feed upon the prey of the spider, sometimes even hanging out with and riding around on the predator. These uninvited dinner guests are called kleptoparasites! I have also seen them on the prey of assassin bugs. (Thanks to Bugguide.net for the identity of the flies.) Alternative unscientific "Bob's world" explanation: the wasp died peacefully in it's sleep and the little grim reaper flies (forager minions of the spider queen) picked it up and flew it to her so it wouldn't go to waste! (I really need the clouds & wind to go away so I can get back to wildflowers ;-). Date: 15 December 2011, 10:28. Source: Voracious green lynx, hanging on by one claw Uploaded by Jacopo Werther. Author: Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth!. Camera location26° 53′ 09.39″ N, 80° 04′ 02.85″ W View all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap 26.885942; -80.067458.