Journal

The Scorpion Tailed Spider and other bugs named after scorpions

on
16 October 2011

Many spiders and bugs are named according to their appearances, while some according to their behavioral traits. The Scorpion-Tailed Spider (Arachnura genus) obtained it’s name from it’s long appendage that resembles a scorpion’s tail. This “tail” looks like parts of a dead leaf and contains no sting, unlike a real scorpion. The tail only exists in females, while the males are tailless and as in many other spiders, could be 10 times smaller than the female.

Scorpion-tailed Orb Weaver (Arachnura sp.) - DSC_4566#1 When it was first found, the scorpion-tailed spider was dangling in the middle of it’s web. To complete it’s disguise, some real leaf litter was used to decorate the web.

Scorpion-tailed Orb Weaver (Arachnura sp.) - DSC_4569#2 It fidgeted around as some prey got caught on the web

Scorpion-tailed Orb Weaver (Arachnura sp.) - DSC_4610#3 A closer look – it had 3 dew drops hanging from it’s body!

Scorpion-tailed Orb Weaver (Arachnura sp.) - DSC_4605#4 I fumbled when removing my tripod and the spider got spooked into this position. Quickly took a last shot!

Scorpion (Scorpiones) - DSC_4669#5 Here’s a real scorpion hanging from above me, with the tail in an upright position.

Tailless Whip Scorpion (Amblypygi) - DSC_4688#6 Tailless Whip Scorpion (Amblypygi). Yet another subject which had adopted the scorpion name for it’s claw-like appendages

Tailless Whip Scorpion (Amblypygi) - DSC_4690#7 Closer look at it’s face

Whip Scorpion (Thelyphonida) - DSC_2266
Pseudoscorpion (Pseudoscorpionida) - DSC_5556#9 Pseudoscorpion (Pseudoscorpionida) are really tiny critters often found clinging onto larger insects

Water Scorpion (Nepidae) - DSC_8892#10 Water Scorpion (Nepidae) with a scorpion-like pose while underwater. Looks completely different when above water!

Some other random shots from the same area:

DSC_4521#11 Doing what they were born to do

Praying Mantis (Mantodea) - DSC_4530#12 Praying mantis with what looks like the remaining bits of a winged-insect

Praying Mantis (Mantodea) - DSC_4535#13 Closer look at the supper

Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae) - DSC_4619#14 A Brown Huntsman (Heteropoda venatoria sp.) carrying her egg sac.

Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae) - DSC_4635#15 Looks like a hole has opened up in the egg sac!

Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae) - DSC_4645#16 Spiderlings spotted!

Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae) - DSC_4657#17 The spiderlings look pretty impressive

Ground Spider (Zodariidae) - DSC_4672#18 Ant mimicking spider (Mallinella), albeit not very good at doing it. lol.

Hawkmoth larva - DSC_5014#19 Mwahhahahaha… evil laugh with plan to take over the world. Hawkmoth larva, not sure which hawkmoth though.

Hawkmoth larva - DSC_5038#20 Full view of Dr Evil, almost 2 inches long

Unknown nest or pupa? - DSC_5047#21 This was found just beside the hawkmoth larva. At first I thought that it belonged to a hawkmoth as well, but found that hawkmoths pupate underground and not like other moths or butterflies which pupate on branches or leaves.

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NICKY BAY
Singapore

Hi my name is Nicky Bay. I am a macro photographer, instructor and book author, travelling the world to document the vast micro biodiversity that nature has to offer. Follow my updates and discover with me the incredible beauty and science behind our planet's micro creatures!

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