More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Spiders of Zihuatanejo
ORDER ARANEAE
Complex Eustala fuscovittata
Complex Eustala fuscovittata
-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)
-Chelicerates Subphylum Chelicerata
-Typical Spiders (Suborder Araneomorphae)
-Entelegyne Spiders (Infraorder Entelegynae)
-Entelegyne Spiders (Infraorder Entelegynae)
-Orbweavers and Allies (Superfamily Araneoidea)
-Orbweavers (Family Araneidae)
-Typical Orbweavers (Subfamily Araneinae)
-Genus Eustala
-Complex Eustala fuscovittata
Eustala Spiders make wheel-shaped webs in openings between trees and shrubs where insects are likely to fly. When an insect flies into the web, the spider senses the vibration, rushes out from the web centre and rapidly wraps the victim in silk, rotating it with its shorter middle legs. When the prey is secure the orb-weaver administers a bite and sits back to allow the deadly venom to do its job. During the day, the spider rests on nearby foliage with its legs drawn under the body.
Description
• The Eustala fuscovittata species complex belongs to the family Araneidae and comprises closely related orb-weaver spiders that can be difficult to distinguish reliably by appearance alone. Members of the genus typically have rounded abdomens, mottled brown or grey colouration and legs adapted for positioning themselves on vegetation. Like other orb-weavers, they produce silk and are associated with constructing webs to capture small flying insects.
Range
• The Eustala fuscovittata complex is associated with the Americas, including Mexico. It is treated here as present in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico; the precise distribution of individual members of the complex may require further taxonomic confirmation.
Habitat
• Spiders in the genus Eustala commonly inhabit vegetation in forests, scrubland, woodland edges and gardens. They may construct orb webs among leaves, shrubs and branches, often in locations where flying insects are abundant. Some species rest close to vegetation or align their bodies with plant structures to remain camouflaged.
Diet
• Members of the Eustala fuscovittata complex are predators that feed on small arthropods, particularly flying insects caught in their webs. They detect vibrations from trapped prey, approach and immobilise it, and then consume it after digestive fluids begin breaking down its tissues.