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Spider, bug, beetle, or neither?

westmichiganflorafau

11 years ago

This "thing" was unintentionally photographed and discovered in a photo of Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis), wooded area, in June, near a creek. At first glance, noticing the spider silk, it appeared to be a spider, even though there are some crab spiders and Micrathena genus that are yellow and black, none have a pattern or matching shape, that I could find. The close up, enhanced photo, almost appears to have a head shape jutting out the side, or is it the front? . I did find a pix of a Green shield bug nymph that is remarkedly similar in pattern and color, but if the dark jutting pattern is a head then this can't be it. My only other guess is that it is actually 2 bugs, one feeding on another, but I am open to suggestions. TIA

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Comments (5)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years ago
Your images are of very little help, darn it. And you've tried so hard to do a fine job of describing what you've observed.

My suggestion is that you have a nymph of a Spined Soldier Bug, doing exactly what you've hypothesized. Check out the link and see what you think. Remember, insects go through several instars and look a little different each time.
westmichiganflorafau thanked rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
westmichiganflorafau
Original Author
11 years ago
Ya, it was a long shot. I was photographing the plant so never even realized this "thing" was there until I started editing and looking at the photos closer. It looked too interesting to ignore so I thought I would get some more opinions, thanks for the input despite the lousy photo.
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years ago
So you don't think that it's a nymph of a SSB feeding on prey? Maybe a spider attacking prey? Sorry, wish your picture showed more of the critter.
westmichiganflorafau
Original Author
11 years ago
I apologize, yes, if definitely looks like a SSB nymph, sorry for the poorly worded reply.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years ago
Oh, good!

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