What is this? There were foamy patches of it across the dewy lawn in front of the French Farm winery in Akaroa harbour.
The early phase was clear slime, the middle phase was a pale yellow bumpy foam, and the late stage was lots of small black spheres. I assume they're all stages of the same species.
A slime mould?
Well camouflaged against bark of apricot tree. Very broad, 2 light grey streaks down back. Sat in the same spot for several days.
hills, c 600m asl; red tussock grassland and rocks; with captured manuka beetles
The female was sitting on a leaf at the corner of an orbweb. The much smaller male was hanging from a leaf between the female and the web, with his feet on the web. I watched occasionally over several daylight hours, but did not see any interaction.
Has a permanent Web outside my back door. Saw him catching and subduing a small cicada.
Very sticky and surprisingly strong silk.
Pasture and river bank Galatea Bay of Plenty
Found on house exterior.