The most apparent prey of the day during last week's morning trip to Kickapoo State Park. Click image to enlarge.
Clearly the two most abundant species I encountered during last week’s morning at Kickapoo State Park were the six-spotted tiger beetles and miniscule wolf spider spiderlings. The spiderlings were feeding on minute, barely visible flies, while the six-spotted tiger beetles were feeding just as aggressively on the minute spiderlings. It was like one giant buffet.
Six spotted tiger beetle (Cicindela sexguttata) with wolf spiderling (Hogna sp.) prey. Click image to magnify.
I would have never guessed spiderlings were an important prety item for tiger beetles, but given their abundance and the opportunistic predatory habits of the beetles it makes sense. Beautiful photo of the beetle!
This is another situation in which it became clear that I really need to get out during the spring to look around and see what is really unique at this time of year. So many things to see and do, and work just keeps on interfering with it!