2020 October 23

 

   Miscellaneous creatures photographed at dusk at Colquitz River Park by Ian Cooper:

 

Ian writes:  I see lots of these beetles around. They shun the light and are difficult to photograph because they’re all black and typically run for cover when spotted out in the open. Only when they pause occasionally is there a chance to get a clear shot.

 

Identified by Scott Gilmore.

 

 

Pterostichus sp. (Col.: Carabidae)  Ian Cooper

 

 

Ian writes:  Dysdera crocata, a.k.a. Woodlouse Hunter. First time seeing one of these spiders. Was amazed at its bright coloring! Spotted while scanning for random critters among the flora and detritus along the path.

Dysdera crocata  (Ara.: Dysderidae)  Ian Cooper

   Ian writes:  Another view of the same individual as above, this time scrunched up in a defensive posture due to being disturbed/exposed after I lifted the leaf it was hiding under. After the photoshoot, I put some dead leaves back over it, then left it to resume its business.

 

 

Dysdera crocata  (Ara.: Dysderidae)  Ian Cooper

   Ian writes:  The small spider below is similar in appearance and size to the Bathyphantes keeni  posted to Invert on October 22. That one had set up shop in the bark of a tree trunk, this one was located on a nearby rock by the trail.

Bathyphantes (probably keeni (Ara.: Linyphiidae) Ian Cooper

   Ian writes:  These two Oniscus asellus woodlice appeared to be feeding on (or investigating) the small twisted slug between them. I accidentally caused their little scene to collapse when attempting to get a closer shot, which separated the slug from the woodlice and allowed me to see that its tentacles were still out, suggesting it was alive. Was this attempted predation, carrion seeking, or simple curiosity?

Woodlice Oniscus asellus (Isopoda:  Oniscidae) with slug.  Ian Cooper

Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Ian Cooper