Lynx Spider
Hamataliwa grisea ?
This spider (male) was found hiding on a twig of Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina) along French Creek in the Bradshaw Mountains, Yavapai Co., Arizona. 24 May 2009. It is about 8 mm long. Identification was provided by Manydy Howe at Spiders.us
Oxyopidae -- Lynx Spider Family
According to the San Diego Museum of Natural History, these spiders hunt at night from a single strand of silk attached between two supports. They catch flying insects that fly within reach. The second row of eyes are enlarged and detect the movement while highly sensitive setae interpret vibrations on the twig and in the air. This spider also looks a lot like a lateral bud normally found on a mesquite twig thus being camouflaged against visually hunting birds.