2023 August 21 morning

   We start with some magnificent spider photographs from Ian Cooper, who writes:

Here is a selection of recent spider pics taken by the *E&N Trail in View Royal and the #Galloping Goose Trail, also in View Royal on Aug 17-18 2023.

   #Female Cybaeus signifer (Ara.: Cybaeidae)   Ian Cooper

I spotted a large dark spider on a log up an embankment by the trail and was able to get close to it without the spider running away. It turned out to be a female Cybaeus signifer. I was amazed that it remained motionless as I carefully made my way up the embankment to take photos and capture some video footage of it, which it allowed me to do. The spider eventually got nervous and suddenly fled to its hiding spot.   Short video here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1322625945049951

 *Juvenile Argiope trifasciata (Ara.: Argiope)    Ian Cooper

 First ever sighting of one of these!  Its web was between Queen Anne’s Lace flowers on the E&N Trail.

Folding door spider   Antrodiaetus pacificus
(Ara., Mygalomorphae: Antrodiaetidae)
Ian Cooper

Folding door spider   Antrodiaetus pacificus
(Ara., Mygalomorphae: Antrodiaetidae)
Ian Cooper

Note: This was a rare sight: An Antrodiaetus pacificus spotted out in the open by the Galloping Goose Trail in View Royal. They normally remain in their burrows, but it’s my understanding the males go out in search of receptive females in the autumn. I believe this one is a male and seeing as it’s the third week of August, the mating urge may be why this spider was out on a wander. It was actively on the move when I first spotted it, but then ‘froze’ in place when I shone my light on it to take photos and video, which is why I was able to get these unusual close-up shots, taken right beside the motionless spider. I infer its ‘freezing’ to be a defence response, which I’ve noticed other spiders and harvestmen often do as well to avoid attracting predators’ attention. Video of it here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2549103618601405

More of Ian’s spider photographs to come this evening.

In the meantime, some photographs from Cheryl Hoyle in View Royal, August 20:

Green Lacewing Chrysoperla sp. (Neu.: Chrysopidae) Cheryl Hoyle

Assassin Bug Zelus tetracanthus  (Hem.: Reduviidae)  Cheryl Hoyle

We thank Scott Gilmore for identifying this assassin bug for us.

Female Drumming Katydid Meconema thalassinum
(Orth.: Tettigoniidae)
Cheryl Hoyle