Fighting over a female - More Spiders!

[Geoff F]

Couldn't get a decent photo and besides all the other problems it was impossible to have sufficient focus depth with just one shot for this action scene. And far two much action for any stacking attempts.

But I thought the 'story' was still worth telling.

Two male Metellina mengei spiders were attracted to the same female. So how to resolve the issue? That's right, try the old fashioned method of fighting for her; and while she was still between them!

Eventually she got out of the way and hid under a leaf while they continued fighting.





And when the winner was declared - she still wasn't interested!

Incidentally, the usual method with this species is to wait until the female is eating a nice plump fly and is in a more receptive mood.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice captures Geoff

[Barbara Ponder]

A love triangleor in this case orb....great catch!

[IzzieK]

Great action, Geoff. You outdid yourself here...(while I am still trying to catch that elusive spider... for my experiment practice.)

When I read your story, I looked at each participant spiders in the melee. Do you know what that marking in the lady spider's belly is for? The male seems to have it but it is further down...

[Shadowman]

Nicely done, I think the backgrounds work well; especially the first. Looks like a meal stuck on a partially visible web.

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes there appears to be a fly or at least the remains of a fly nearby. Possibly that is what she was consuming before the two males pounced on her.

The markings on their undersides are a good clue to the identification. The female has a fraction longer midline dark stripe than an otherwise identical related species.

[marlunn]

nice set Geoff, well captured

[Wavelength]

Classic images and a nice story narrated

[James G]

Geoff, beautiful captures.

[Downrigger]

Great job in challenging circumstances with great results. Very nice, Geoff.

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the positive replies.

I've just started a 'Show Us Your Bugs' thread in an attempt to encourage more people to post their macro photos.