u/peacock_spiderman

Subject is a portia female munching on some sort of web dwelling spider that she had just hunted. Please check out my other posts for my camera details!

Maratus chrysomelas with is full collider scope of colours to produce this they have two types of abdominal scales, rainbow iridescent scales, and velvet black scales. The iridescent scales are airfoil shaped structures with binary nanogratings, producing rainbow of colours

by diffracting and scattering light, a phenomenon known as structural colour. The colours change depending on the viewing angle due to the constructive and destructive interference of light waves.

The black scales are brush-like, trapping light to create a deep black that helps create emphasis on the rainbow scales

Gear:

Olympus em1 mk3

60mm f2.8 macro lens

Godox v350o flash

Raynox dcr250

Cygnustech diffuser

In simple terms, what you are witnessing above is two peacock spiders maiting. The male is on top of the female and has rotated her abdomen and has stuck his pedipalp into a "certain special place." Yes, the fluffy white bits on the males face are technically his maiting organs.

Camera gear:

Olympus em1 mk3

60mm f2.8 macro lens

Godox v350o flash

Raynox dcr250

Cygnustech diffuser

Camera gear:

Olympus em1 mk3

60mm macro lens

Godox v350o flash

Raynox dcr250

Cygnustech diffuser

Maratus gemmifer courtship display shot in the southern perth metro region! From now on, i am listing my gear on every post as that seems to be a very popular question!

Olympus em1 mk3

60mm f2.8 macro lens

Godox v350o flash

Raynox dcr250

Cygnustech diffuser

Maratus chrysomelas,

Aka the iridescent bunny peacock spider.

Side and female view of the courtship display.

You might notice their iridescent colours this is due to two types of abdominal scales, rainbow iridescent scales, and velvet black scales. The iridescent scales are airfoil shaped structures with binary nanogratings, producing rainbow of colours

by diffracting and scattering light, a phenomenon known as structural colour. The colours change depending on the viewing angle due to the constructive and destructive interference of light waves.

The black scales are brush-like, trapping light to create a deep black that helps create emphasis on the rainbow scales.

Maratus pinniger is only known from a single swamp in the far south western region of WA. This exact area is home to a large population of hammer orchids for any plant nerds here, too!

Unfortunately, last year, it was subject to excessive prescribed burns, and when I returned, the ancient peet swamp was reduced to nothing on near by there was a patch of sword sedge and there was this singular male and female there. Photos of abit post burn in the comments below...

Maratus nannup is another type of peacock spider from WA. It is currently described as a new species, but I suspect it is simply a colour morph of Maratus candens.

Maratus pardus, aka the leopard peacock spider, can be found in semi coastal shrub/grass lands along the south coast of WA. Due to its dense habitat, this species has proven to be quite elusive over the years.

This is Maratus vultus or the smiley faced peacock spider. This species can be found at several locations on the cost and inland in Western Australia. The males range from deep blues to bright aquas. This males doing a display to a nearby female in the image, btw. Have a lovely evening, everyone.

Species in the video is Maratus bubo or the horned owl peacock spider.

Maratus spicatus or the spiky peacock spider is one of the smallest jumping spiders in the world, measuring a whopping 2mm in length!