Scytodes velutina - above 3:1 magnification

jorgemotalmeida · Post by **jorgemotalmeida** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:46 pm

Hi

This is Scytodes velutina - a spider that belongs to the Scytotidae family . It has a common name: spitting spider. It has slow movements and hunt during night when the preys are "sleeping". When the spider is near the prey, it spits silk and glue to grasp the prey (the spitting is in zigzag mode).
Here you can see an image with about 3:1 magnification. The prosoma of this spider is rather dark.
See careful the first pair of legs with many hairs so the spider can sense its preys. You can see really the claws in legs. And you can see clearly that the spider is grabbing with the claws a silk thread.

i suggest you see it bigger here:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/3991 ... a171_b.jpg

no worries: this spider is not dangerous for us.

Jorge Almeida

MacroLuv · Post by **MacroLuv** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:51 pm

Welcome Jorge!

Very nice macro.

What is your photo equipment?
On what was spider resting on? Looks like a cactus surface tissue.

jorgemotalmeida · Post by **jorgemotalmeida** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 4:53 pm

MacroLuv wrote:Welcome Jorge!
Very nice macro.
What is your photo equipment?
On what was spider resting on? Looks like a cactus surface tissue.

Canon 30D + Extension tubes kenko + sigma 105 mm ex (the more cheaper I can bought..) + 50 mm inverted lens Canon

I use speedlite 430ex canon, and a krypton light.

It tremendous hard when I photograph in 4:1. I will show you some photos with this magnification.

Many are 2:1, some with 3:1 like this one. (for 2:1 i don´t use inverted lens).

The spider was really above a leaf, but I don't know which is the plant.

It is not a cactus.

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:14 pm

That is one creepy looking spider Jorge. Very strange looking.

Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:26 pm

Hi Jorge,

Nice photo and interesting information too. Unfortunately when I followed your link (I tried it twice) it took me to an excellent close-up of a Syrphidae fly.

Bruce

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:29 pm

I am not to keen on spiders there Jorge, as you will find out. I have a deep fear of them almost (arachniphobia). Well except for one or two but still I keep my distance even from them. Nice shot though.

jorgemotalmeida · Post by **jorgemotalmeida** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 6:52 am

@beetleman: it is an amazig spider. One of the most beautiful in the world.

@Bruce Williams: that's ok now. The link was fixed.

@Ken Ramos: I have 4:1 photos of spiders. Some are breathtaking..