Journal

Return of the Whip Spider

on
20 November 2011

The name “Whip Spider” often refers to the Tailless Whip Scorpion in certain literature. But the whip spider I’m highlighting in this post, is sometimes known as a Twig Spider as well. At rest, this deceptive creature looks just like a plain twig dangling in mid-air.

Whip Spider? (Ariamnes flagellum) - DSC_7261#1 I used to see this Whip Spider (Ariamnes flagellum) at Admiralty Park, but that was a long time ago. Here, we found a female again and with prey! The prey is likely to be a Big bellied spider (Tylorida ventralis).

Whip Spider? (Ariamnes flagellum) - DSC_7265#2 Didn’t stay still, as it juggled with the prey

Whip Spider? (Ariamnes flagellum) - DSC_7268#3 Still playing around

Whip Spider? (Ariamnes flagellum) - DSC_7276#4 Twisted itself around

Whip Spider? (Ariamnes flagellum) - DSC_7284#5 Even tried some yoga poses

Twig Spider (Ariamnes sp.) - DSC_5901#6 Here’s another one that I took some time ago, running around, seemingly busy preparing it’s web

Twig Spider (Ariamnes sp.) - DSC_5935#7 Not looking very friendly there

Twig Spider (Ariamnes sp.) - DSC_5956#8 The camouflage

Twig-Like Whip Spider (Ariamnes sp.) - DSC_7686#9 And yet another time when the female was protecting it’s egg sac

Twig-Like Whip Spider (Ariamnes sp.) - DSC_7702#10 Close up on the egg sac and mother

The morning had some other usual finds as well.

Laglaise Garden Spider (Eriovixia laglaizei) - DSC_7218#11 A tiny Laglaise’s Garden Spider (Eriovixia laglaisei). It looked like it had some arrows stuck on it’s legs!

Velvet Ant (Mutillidae) - DSC_7241#12 Velvet Ant, a.k.a. Cow Killer walking about on this leaf endlessly. These are actually wingless wasps that pack a really painful bite!

Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - DSC_7294#13 Closeup on an unknown Salticid, possibly Evarcha sp.

Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - DSC_7297#14 Hallo Mr Blackface!

DSC_7334#15 Some kinda beetle?

Net-winged Beetles (Lycidae) - DSC_7362#16 Mating Net-Winged Beetles

Copper-cheeked Frog (Hydrophylax raniceps) - DSC_7387#17 Victor found this cute Copper Cheeked Frog.

Copper-cheeked Frog (Hydrophylax raniceps) - DSC_7402#18 It bathed under the sun, and the light shone through little kermit!

Copper-cheeked Frog (Hydrophylax raniceps) - DSC_7436#19 Last shot before it hopped away

Dragonfly (Anispotera) - DSC_7443#20 Dragonfly. I’m bad with dragonfly identification… anyone with help? =D

Weevils (Curculionidae) - DSC_7469#21 A pair of mating weevils, really slowly doing it

Longhorn Beetle (Xystrocera festiva) - DSC_7490#22 Longhorn Beetle (Xystrocera festiva)

Longhorn Beetle (Xystrocera festiva) - DSC_7493#23 Top view to confirm it’s identity

Two-tailed Spider (Hersilidae) - DSC_7496#24 Two-Tailed Spider (Hersilia sp) on tree trunk, quite a colourful one!

Two-tailed Spider (Hersilidae) - DSC_7523#25 Close up on the abdomen

The complete album can be viewed here.

TAGS
RELATED POSTS
1 Comment
  1. Reply

    Pat

    26 December 2011

    Your "#20 Dragonfly" photo appears to show a MALE Cratilla metallica (Dark-Tipped Forest-Skimmer, Brackish Chaser).

    In addition to the dark wing-tips & metallic-golden eyes that distinguish this forest species, the males sport a light blue upper-thorax & dark blue abdomen, while the females have a more uniformly blue thorax & abdomen.

    Some photos/info for reference:

    [1] Dragonflies & Damselflies of Singapore (06 Feb 09) — male & female
    [2] Odonata of Peninsular Malaysia (06 Nov 09) — males: top & bottom views
    [3] Krau Phra Thaew Ecological Sustainability Project — male
    [4] Singapore Odonata — females
    [5] Asia Dragonfly — males & females

LEAVE A COMMENT

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!

Copyright Notice

All images © 2008-2024 Nicky Bay unless stated otherwise. Reproduction of any content without permission is prohibited. Please read the Image Use Policy and contact [email protected] for licensing requests.

Mailing List

Like the content here? Get notified for new posts, stories, workshops and book launches! Your email will never be shared with others.

Like the content here? Get notified for new posts, stories, workshops and book launches! Your email will never be shared with others.

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0