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Photo#355428
Stilt bug ?? - Ploiaria

Stilt bug ?? - Ploiaria
Danville / Bollinger canyon, Contra Costa County, California, USA
November 29, 2009
Size: body smaller than 1/4"
We flipped a sandstone rock in a field to find insect life , because there was nothing going on in the Fall weather outside . My husband found a Crab spider and upon closer inspection , we saw a Stilt-like bug lounging on the spiders leg . The spider got nervous when I put a camera close to it and then the long-legged bug walked off in a distinctive gate like a dance , maybe so the spider would not notice it ? It took two steps with its long legs and bunched up together in the middle and stretched out its legs again slowly and then was hunched together tightly after 2 steps once again . It reminded me of a baby Giraffe walking for the first time . The spider did not look like it was interested in the bug or maybe because its legs and body where so slim , it just did not notice it ?? Maybe they were friends of some kind ? Anyhow , it was different than anything that I had seen before and it would have been better if it were bigger so my camera could focus on it better . It blended well with the crab spider and the sandstone rock . Its front 2 legs appeared to be tucked in like a Mantis , but its long neck looked like a Snakefly to me . We only found one to look at for a brief time and would have never noticed it if it did not walk off of the spider . Thanks for any comments , sincerely Beth

Images of this individual: tag all
Stilt bug ?? - Ploiaria Stilt bug ?? - Ploiaria Stilt bug ?? - Ploiaria

Moved
Moved from Thread-legged Bugs.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Hmmm...
I'm not making it out too well, but from what I can see and your description of the "mantis-like" posture, I'm wondering if this might be a thread-legged bug of some variety?



Definitely wait for another opinion on this one, though.

EDIT: Now that I've seen the second photo, I'm even less certain. I'm still thinking assassin bug of some kind, but maybe a Zelus species rather than a thread-legged bug? Whatever it is, it appears to be a nymph, not an adult.

 
Ken's right: this is an emesine; don't see enough to tell more
stealing spiders' prey from cobwebs is their trade

 
Should've stuck
with my first impression, I guess!

 
Thread-legged bug
Thanks for the swift and in depth reply to this weird little nymph . It is a new find for me which is fun . I would like to find the grown up version as it would be easier to photograph . Bugguide always amazes me with their swift replies and vast knowledge , thanks again , sincerely Beth

 
You're welcome
Most thread-legged assassin bugs are still pretty small even as adults, so don't hold your breath:-)

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