Harvestman grazing on a fungus infected hoverfly

Green orb spider with beetle prey

Green orb spider

A garden spider preparing a meal

Creepy Crawlies in the Garden

Window Lace Weever (Amaurobius fenestralis)

Gardens are full of thousands, if not millions, of creepy crawlies. As children we were all (well boys were anyway) fascinated by these tiny secretive bugs. My childish side comes out when I am in the garden - I just can't resist turning over stones to see whats there. Maybe they are not pretty but to me they are absolutely fascinating. What forces sculptured these amazingly complex and highly technical designs, and why?

White Legged Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger)

White Legged Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger)

Springtail

Lace Weever (Amaurobius similis)

Earwig (Forficula auricularia)

Earwig (Forficula auricularia)

Earwig (Forficula auricularia)

Common Rough Woodlice (Porcellio scaber)

Common Rough Woodlice (Porcellio scaber)

Centipede (Lithobius forficatus)

Bristletail (Petrobius maritimus)

Spider -v- Wasp

A window-lace-weever spider (Amaurobius fenestralis) attempts to capture a common wasp (Vespula vulgaris). The wasp became trapped in the tangle web and tried to extract itself by beating its wings furiously. The spider approached cautiously, avoiding the sting of the wasp, and managed to bite and paralyze the wasp. After several minutes of trying to drag the unfortunate wasp into its den the anaesthetic began to wear off and the wasp attempted to sting the spider. Eventually the spider realised it had bit off a bit more than it could chew, and retreated. A few minutes later the wasp broke free of the web and took off.