A close shave!

[A_T]

At Fenns and Whixall Moss today I came across this Brimstone caught in a spider's web - as you can see the spider was well in and I thought the Brimstone was already a goner!

However the butterfly managed to break free leaving spidey without what would have been quite a substantial meal. However she'd cleverly made her web amongst a patch of knapweed so she'll undoubtedly not go short of insects.

[David M]

A happy ending!

I love Brimstones and would hate to see one being killed in this way - in fact, I habitually rescue all butterflies I see trapped in webs.

[A_T]

I actually thought the Brimstone had already been paralysed - it wasn't moving and the spider seemed to be biting it. Then suddenly it came to life and escaped the web - settling on a nearby flower to resume feeding. Looked fine

[Padfield]

I found this small mountain ringlet in a spider's web, and it too was utterly motionless and presumed dead, though its posture was not deathlike.



On closer inspection it turned out it was a disused spider's web - there was no spider anywhere near - and when I touched the butterfly it began flapping. So I released it (unlike David, I wouldn't have released it if it had been in an active spider's web) and it was perfectly fine.



Clearly at least some butterflies stop flapping completely after a certain time when they are ensnared.

Guy

[dilettante]

I watched this Silver Studded Blue rather foolishly displaying at the entrance to the funnel of tube web spider's web (?)

[David M]

I released it (unlike David, I wouldn't have released it if it had been in an active spider's web) and it was perfectly fine.

Ah, what if it had been a Poplar Admiral?

[Paul Wetton]

I reckon a Poplar Admiral would batter the spider unless it was a real biggy and then I'd be tempted to put my money on the Admiral.

[David M]

I reckon a Poplar Admiral would batter the spider unless it was a real biggy and then I'd be tempted to put my money on the Admiral.

LOL! How about you, Paul, are you a rescuer or an acceptor of fate?

[Susie]

A gatekeeper flew into the web of a garden spider here today. I didn't meddle, just observed.

[Paul Wetton]

I tend to observe if the spider has already made a grab as the poison has already taken effect if the bite has been made.

If a butterfly is caught but no spider appears I'll remove the insect from the web.

[Susie]

To each his own. I didn't deny spidy his dinner. If the web had snapped and the butterfly got away then so be it. But it didn't

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[David M]

Can't bear to watch that (even though Hedge Browns are far from my favourite species).

[Susie]

Let's just say that the butterfly doesn't win. It's wrapped up just the other side of the window from where I am sitting with a very fat contented spidy rubbing its tummy and burping.