Spider w/ Parasite - Eustala

Moved

Moved from Araneus.

… Bruce Marlin, 16 March, 2012 - 7:02pm

Posture makes us think more of Eustala

See what you think

Have seen some young Mantidfly larva wedged in similar places on spider specimens, but they were much smaller. Can't see enough to tell you whether that's what this is or maybe given it's size it is a wasp larva.

… john and jane balaban, 16 March, 2012 - 5:47pm

Parasite

This from the Atlantic magazine online:
"Consider Polysphincta gutfreundi, a parasitic wasp that grabs hold of an orb spider and attaches a tiny egg to its belly. A wormlike larva emerges from the egg, and then releases chemicals that prompt the spider to abandon weaving its familiar spiral web and instead spin its silk thread into a special pattern that will hold the cocoon in which the larva matures. The “possessed” spider even crochets a specific geometric design in the net, camouflaging the cocoon from the wasp’s predators."

… Bruce Marlin, 18 March, 2012 - 11:22am

Yes

I agree, thank you. I intend to visit her every day and maybe catch whatever it is do whatever its going to do.

… Bruce Marlin, 16 March, 2012 - 7:01pm