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Oxyopes macilentus L. Koch, 1878 Lean Lynx Spider

Common in Queensland coastal areas, extending inland, in most vegetated habits, especially in grasses. It has black and orange lines running the length of its body and is generally longer and thinner than other species (about four times as long as wide) except the tropical Oxyopes papuana. It hunts on foliage in the daytime, eating invertebrates incuding other spiders. The Latin macilentus means lean, thin or skinny. Where their ranges overlap O. macilentus can be told apart from O. papuanus by the length of the tip of the male palp. O. papuanus has a shorter tip. ♀ 10mm ♂ 9mm

Female guarding egg sac


A female guarding her egg sac on the underside of a leaf. They will guard the young for some time also.

Oxyopes
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female closeup - facing camera


Oxyopes
Photo: Robert Whyte Riaweena Street, The Gap.

Lynx spider with fly


This spider has its fangs deep into the head of a fly (Musca sp) and is in the process of ingesting its essence. Photographed Sunday, 28 October 2007 in Jevons St Park, The Gap.

Oxyopes
Photo: Robert Whyte

Lynx spider with native bee


This spider is tucking into a meal of native bee. Perhaps the pollen was weighing down the bee and made it a little easier to catch.

Oxyopes
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female 230111 Freshwater National Park 230111 pregnant from side


Oxyopes quadrifasciatus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female 230111 Freshwater National Park 230111 pregnant from above


Oxyopes quadrifasciatus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female 230111 Freshwater National Park 230111 egg sac


Oxyopes quadrifasciatus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female 230111 Freshwater National Park 230111 after laying eggs


Oxyopes quadrifasciatus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female 230111 Freshwater National Park 230111 epigyne


Oxyopes quadrifasciatus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female on Lantana flowers, North Stradbroke Island


Oxyopes macilentus
Photo: Ed Nieuwenhuys

Female on flower, Alexandra Hills


Oxyopes macilentus
Photo: Ed Nieuwenhuys

Female on leaf


Oxyopes macilentus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male adult Freshwater National Park, in alcohol


Oxyopes macilentus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male palp with characteristic long skinny tip - specimen from Freshwater National Park


Oxyopes macilentus
p

Male adult, facing, amongst windblown seed


Oxyopes macilentus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male adult facing from side, showing palps


Oxyopes macilentus
Photo: Robert Whyte

O. macilentus being eaten by Thomisus spectabilis


Oxyopes macilentus
Photo: Robert Whyte

Illustration: L. Koch


Oxyopes macilentusx
Illustration: L. Koch

 
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