Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
BugGuide Gathering
Smoky Mountains
University of Tennessee Biological Field Station
August 8-10, 2008
Details...
 
Photos from the last gathering (Minnesota 2007)

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Photo#123717
Ant-mimic spider - Microlinyphia - male

Ant-mimic spider - Microlinyphia - Male
Licking County, Ohio, USA
July 1, 2007
Size: 4-5mm
This very convincing ant-mimic was found running across the gravel and sparse vegetation adjacent to the back of my house. In the hand it almost appeared to be a Synageles (jumper) only with longer legs. Under magnification I noticed the palps (third image) are heavily modified, and also contain a very long embolus, one of which is almost visible in this image between the cephalothorax and the right leg I.

Photographed in captivity. The median stripe across the length of the abdomen is glare from my flash. Very little scale or hair cover exists.

Images of this individual: tag all
Ant-mimic spider - Microlinyphia - male Ant-mimic spider - Microlinyphia - male Ant-mimic spider - Microlinyphia - male