A lucky sawfly ?

Spotted this sawfly flying into an orb web spider's web. The spider rushed out but instead of biting it, it promptly cut it out of the web. I assume spiders find them distasteful. I managed to trap it for a few studio shots before releasing it again. All focus stacks using zerene.

Brian V.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/xyZT​bB

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/xyZT​bM

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/xyZT​ci

...or maybe they were childhood pals? Fascinating behavior! Superb set Brian

I witnessed the very same thing the other day but I didn't have time to ID what it was the spider released. I've seen them untangling small leaves from their webs too and its amazing how quickly they do it. Wonderful studio shots Brian.

Wonderful set Brian!
Strange behavior!

very interesting behavior, wonderful set Brian

CanopicJar wrote in post #17706790
...or maybe they were childhood pals? Fascinating behavior! Superb set Brian

Worcester Lad wrote in post #17706944
I witnessed the very same thing the other day but I didn't have time to ID what it was the spider released. I've seen them untangling small leaves from their webs too and its amazing how quickly they do it. Wonderful studio shots Brian.

mandokid1 wrote in post #17707497
Wonderful set Brian!
Strange behavior!

alquimista wrote in post #17707510
very interesting behavior, wonderful set Brian

Thanks all for the comments
I've sometimes seen them cut stinging bugs out of their webs such as wasps or bees but not something harmless like this.
Brian v.

A super set of pics of it.. Come to think of it, I have had lots of these this year but not seen any caught in a web.

Linda

What the spider rejected turned out to be your gain - think there's the beginning of a parable here? Lovely studio shots and I particularly like the reflection of the Sawfly on the perspex. I assume perspex was used?

LindaB wrote in post #17708045
A super set of pics of it.. Come to think of it, I have had lots of these this year but not seen any caught in a web.

Linda

Poyatos wrote in post #17708060
What the spider rejected turned out to be your gain - think there's the beginning of a parable here? Lovely studio shots and I particularly like the reflection of the Sawfly on the perspex. I assume perspex was used?

Thanks Linda and Alex for the comments

Alex - It might be Perspex but not Perspex sheet - I use a clear plastic box a small model came in. The box is upside down with the bug on the top (under a glass until it settles down a bit). This allows me to get low angles on the subject. The coloured background is just behind the box

Brian v.

That's really useful info regarding the clear plastic box - ingenious and something I must try out myself. Thanks

Wonderful captures Brian.

Lester Wareham wrote in post #17708665
Wonderful captures Brian.

Thanks Lester
Brian V.