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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Flies (Diptera) (38 Galleries) >> Deer Flies, Horse Flies (Family: Tabanidae) > Deer fly (Tabanid sp.) caught by a crab spider
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27-JUN-2012 Christine Hanrahan

Deer fly (Tabanid sp.) caught by a crab spider

This fly had landed on the milkweed plant only to be caught by the female goldenrod crab spider. The spiders tend to hide amidst blossoms waiting for some unlikely victim to land. I am sure many would thank the spider, as these are the big biting flies that make our lives miserable in summer, taking chunks out of our flesh. They drive my poor dog mad! Insect repellent has little effect.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
1/400s f/2.8 at 5.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
Sheila24-Mar-2013 23:40
Those spiders are so quick. Love the detail of that emerald eye!
LynnH24-Mar-2013 23:28
As soon as I saw this, I thought GOOD!! I hate Deer Flies. They are pretty common in Michigan where we used to spend vacation. Excellent closeup here! V
Jim Coffman24-Mar-2013 22:49
That is one fly I really hate!!
laine24-Mar-2013 22:33
Known as Horse Fly here, same bite though...horrors :) The crab spider is swift and relentless.
Carol Rollins24-Mar-2013 22:23
Wow, what a great find and capture, Christine!
Hank Vander Velde24-Mar-2013 22:22
Nice sharp image Christine.
Kevin Fairburn24-Mar-2013 22:12
Excellent timing on this photo...nicely done..
Graeme24-Mar-2013 22:03
Bad news for the fly then, even though I dont like spiders they do a grand job lol.V
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