The prey and the predator

[Prajwal J Ullal]

ID: A freshly caught dragonfly in Signature spider’s web


The monsoon growth not only brings in vibrance but also attracts a huge variety of biodiversity in form of the butterflies, dragonflies, a whole spectrum of beetles and other insects. With the abundance of prey come a huge variety of predators, one such predator being the signature spiders that seems to have built its exquisite web amongst the greenery, a perfect location to catch the unsuspecting prey. While we were traversing the trail, we spotted this particular web with some big catch. On close observation, realized that the prey was still alive and trying to break free from the trap, while the monster predator seemed to rest in the centre of the web, seen on the other side of the frame.

EXIF:
Canon 80D
Canon 100mm macro
F/11
Shutterspeed 1/320
ISO 400
Handheld, external flash fired

Location: Thane

[Mrudul Godbole]

Looks like a bee (not sure). It has got wrapped up in the net so much, would be difficult for it to break free, so the spider is waiting and watching. In nature the cycle of life and death continues. Good capture. Thanks for sharing.

[Prajwal J Ullal]

It was a Dragonfly, as it almost tried to free itself, due to it being curled up, it almost resembled a bee

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Interesting catch. A tiny spider can overwhelm a larger dragonfly. Wondering if we humans thought of creating fishing net watching spiders at work. :)