This is Pisaurina mira, a Nursery Web Spider. They are in the same family as Fishing Spiders. They mostly hunt near the ground, like where your spider is in the photo.
You’re quite welcome! That’s an interesting question, I had to look it up for this species. Pisaura mirabilis, an European Nursery Web Spider spider does that. I didn’t find a definite answer on a reputable science site in a quick search for Pisaurina mira. They have a different trick. The males are much smaller than the females, but have long legs. They use their long legs to bind the females’ legs with silk. That keeps the females from killing the males during sex. The females can easily escape afterward. Fifty Shades of Gray House Spider? I’ve read about the gift… Read more »
This is Pisaurina mira, a Nursery Web Spider. They are in the same family as Fishing Spiders. They mostly hunt near the ground, like where your spider is in the photo.
That was my guess but I wanted to be sure. Is it true the males give gifts of prey to females? Thank you for your assistance.
You’re quite welcome! That’s an interesting question, I had to look it up for this species. Pisaura mirabilis, an European Nursery Web Spider spider does that. I didn’t find a definite answer on a reputable science site in a quick search for Pisaurina mira. They have a different trick. The males are much smaller than the females, but have long legs. They use their long legs to bind the females’ legs with silk. That keeps the females from killing the males during sex. The females can easily escape afterward. Fifty Shades of Gray House Spider? I’ve read about the gift… Read more »