Caught in a web

salden · Post by **salden** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 4:53 pm

Not a spider, but it was in a web. This "redbutt" was tangled up and could not get out of the web. I took the opportunity to grab a few images and then I released him. There was no spider in the area and I seen no reason to let the "redbutt" die from starvation. I think he had been in that web for awhile.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 6:37 pm

Your a nice lady Sue Alden

I really like that last shot

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 6:40 pm

Very interesting photos Sue. They remind me of those posters with hanging animals that say "Hang In There baby" or "hanging by a thread". They look awesome against the white background.

salden · Post by **salden** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:01 pm

Thanks guys. That white background is my house. The web was on the stairs by the driveway leading into the den.

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:24 pm

These are great -- especially #3! This has got to be the most clear impression I have ever gotten about the shape of these bugs, and the crispness is memorable -- even startling, since I don't see a bit of oversharpening to go with it. Very nicely done.

The little fellow definitely deserved its freedom, in exchange for enabling these pictures.

--Rik

Walter Piorkowski · Post by **Walter Piorkowski** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:43 pm

Number 3 is great Sue. I have never seen one of these critters before.
Walt

Sven Bernert · Post by **Sven Bernert** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:18 am

Everything has been said above ... nice work Sue!

Best,
Sven

dougsmit · Post by **dougsmit** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:54 pm

All were great but I agree that the last is the best of the bunch since it shows the mouth parts so well. I'm glad you released it since these eat 'bad' bugs in the garden but I understand that they have a painful bite.

Yours is a juvenile Arilus cristatus or Wheel Bug from the Assassin bug family. Smaller babies are all red while adults are brown and have a big 'wheel' on their back. I understand I am not to post a picture here so I'll try starting a thread and see if that works.