Talkback: Wolf spiders

Gardeners' World Web User

Are there any other insects or spiders that jump on their prey in the same way?

Gardeners' World Web User

Reply to Mrs Cullen
Jumping on prey is one of the best ways to catch food if you are a spider or insect. Pouncing can either be a sudden rush forwards, like these wolf spiders, also house spiders and water skaters. Then their is the sudden thrust of limb, like praying mantis or dragonfly nymphs. The most impressive, though, are the jumping spiders, especially the common zebra spider, Salticus scenicus, which leaps several times its own body length to pounce, after carefully sizing up its target.

Gardeners' World Web User

I recently visited st.paul's cathedral gardens in london where there is a lovely tree with cup shaped yellow flowers. I wondered if anyone could identify this for me.