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Lynx Spider & Prey

Oxyopes javanus & Amata sp.

Photo by John B.
Published on Project Noah
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15.4556, 119.92

Field Notes

Description:

My spotting before this one (https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/739658427} showed a Lynx Spider as the victim of predation by a Spider Wasp and I mentioned that the Lynx also lives by predation. So, after I uploaded that one, I thought I had better make good on my claims of having witnessed and photographed Lynx Spiders killing prey. I set about looking through some of my old pictures and notes and it didn't take long to find some photos that show the Lynx in his natural role as a serious predator. I came across three predatory attacks on Amata spp. (Wasp Moths) by Oxyopes javanus, back in 2017 and I intend to upload spottings of all three. The reason for showing all three predations is that they were in the exact same place, two predations on one day and another on the next day. What I want to emphasise is that these attacks on weaker species are not just something that happens from time to time. In the lifestyle of a Lynx, they are systematic, methodical and never-ending until the Lynx itself becomes the prey of a stronger predator. In my photos above, you will see that the Lynx had already seized the moth before i started taking pictures. I have never managed to photograph the moment of capture because the spider does his best to go unseen by its prey until the split second of the strike. So, just like the prey, I don't notice until there is some sudden flash of action, then it is too late for the prey to escape and equally too late for me to get a picture. So what you see is the aftermath of the attack.

Habitat:

The Lynx Spider and its prey, the Wasp Moth were spotted on a huge tangle of Tropical White Weed (Ageratum conyzoides) on a patch of land between rice fields.

Notes:

I would like to express my thanks to Võ Anh Tuấn for identifying the Wasp Moth, shown in my pictures, as Amata grotei (Moore, 1871) I had originally called it Unidentified Syntomini. I am slightly uncertain as I cannot find sufficiently clear images for comparison. So, for now, I will refer to this moth as Amata sp.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)

Hi Võ Anh Tuấn, As you know, I sent a comment to you, earlier today, on your spotting page for Oriental Black Potter Wasp - all about the photography advice you very kindly gave me. At the end of that comment, I thanked you for identifying my Wasp Moth in this spotting as Amata grotei (Moore, 1871). A few minutes ago, when I was updating this spotting to include the ID you gave me, I realised that by thanking you on your page, I had no record of that on my own page. I think it is important (at least to me it is) to put my "thanks" on my page because your ID becomes an integral part of my spotting. So, here I am, saying a sincere "thank you" again. Now, there is no chance that, in years to come I will look back at this spotting and think "My goodness, Võ Anh Tuấn gave me that ID and I didn't even bother to thank him." That would be just awful. Thanks, Võ Anh Tuấn. Best wishes, John B.
Prey: Tiger Wasp Moth. Amata grotei (Moore, 1871) Erebidae

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