The BioFiles - Bill Hubick

Western Lynx Spider (Oxyopes scalaris)

Source: Wikipedia

Oxyopes scalaris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Oxyopidae
Genus: Oxyopes
Species:
O. scalaris
Binomial name
Oxyopes scalaris
Hentz, 1845
Western Lynx Spider - female (Oxyopes scalaris)
Gravid female
Male and female western lynx spiders. Female (6.5 millimeter body length) on leaf. Male on clover and approached by a Halictid bee. This species is in the lynx spider family.
Female western lynx spider with ichneumon wasp prey. This species is in the lynx spider family.
Western lynx spider jumping. At least one jump was triggered by a fast flying insect approaching. Jumps are replayed in slow motion, This species is in the lynx spider family.

Oxyopes scalaris, the western lynx spider, is a species of lynx spider in the family Oxyopidae. It is found in North America.[1][2][3][4] A study based in Washington found that this species reaches adulthood and is most active in spring and early summer.[5] They are considered beneficial in orchards.[6]

Behavior

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Similar to wolf spiders and jumping spiders, western lynx spiders are active hunters that are fast runners and leapers with good vision. Rather than hunting on the ground, they often lie in wait to capture prey on plants, trees, and bushes. Their long, spiny bristles form a “basket-like” cage that may assist in capturing prey and providing the spider with some protection. [7]

They don’t spin webs, but use silk for other purposes including safety lines and their egg sacks.

References

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  1. ^ "Oxyopes scalaris Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
  2. ^ "Oxyopes scalaris". GBIF. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
  3. ^ "Oxyopes scalaris". NMBE World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
  4. ^ Miliczky, Eugene R.; Horton, David R.; Calkins, Carrol O. (2008). "Observations on phenology and overwintering of spiders associated with apple and pear orchards in south-central Washington". Journal of Arachnology. 36 (3): 565–573. doi:10.1636/T07-29.1. ISSN 0161-8202. S2CID 73518332.
  5. ^ Miliczky, E.R.; Horton, D.R. (June 2005). "Densities of beneficial arthropods within pear and apple orchards affected by distance from adjacent native habitat and association of natural enemies with extra-orchard host plants". Biological Control. 33 (3): 249–259. Bibcode:2005BiolC..33..249M. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2005.03.002.
  6. ^ https://www.missoulabutterflyhouse.org/western-lynx-spider-oxyopes-scalaris-2/, Western Lynx Spider (Oxyopes scalaris), “Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium”, June 18, 2021
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