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.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Female guarding egg sac
Female closeup - facing camera
Lynx spider with fly
Lynx spider with native bee
Female 230111 Freshwater National Park 230111 pregnant from side
Female 230111 Freshwater National Park 230111 pregnant from above
Female 230111 Freshwater National Park 230111 egg sac
Female 230111 Freshwater National Park 230111 after laying eggs
Female 230111 Freshwater National Park 230111 epigyne
Female on Lantana flowers, North Stradbroke Island
Female on flower, Alexandra Hills
Female on leaf
Male adult Freshwater National Park, in alcohol
Male palp with characteristic long skinny tip - specimen from Freshwater National Park
Male adult, facing, amongst windblown seed
Male adult facing from side, showing palps
O. macilentus being eaten by Thomisus spectabilis
Illustration: L. Koch

Female closeup - facing camera

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.