These spiders were once called "writing spiders", because of the stabilimenta (those squiggles I mentioned), which were thought to be some sort of communication a al Charlotte's Web. Studies have shown that diurnal spiders that employ stabilimenta are 34% less successful in catching their prey, but their webs are far less likely to be damaged, because lumbering humans like me and other passing creatures (birds, etc.), can more readily spot and avoid the web.
We should pass some sort of legislation that requires all spiders to include stabilimenta in their webs. It's the least our arachnid neighbors can do. How about it, legislators?
Photo source: Sean McCann
S O M E
ReplyDeleteS P I D E R !
One of my absolute favorite spiders. Great photo! :)
ReplyDeleteI always wondered what the hell was going on in those webs! Learn something new every day. Stabilimenta, you say? Thanks, Wombat!
ReplyDeleteThese are one of my most favorite spiders! (Sorry, Wombat, I am an arachnophile and I ain't ashamed to admit it!) I had a beautiful big female take up residence on my balcony last year. She spent the entire summer, fall, and part of the winter right beneath my porch light. When it got cold, she laid not one, but TWO egg sacks. Her babies are now living in my carport. They look just like miniature copies of her!
ReplyDelete--TwoDragons
I think this is the type of spider that lives at my aunt and uncle's house.
ReplyDeleteI went over there a bit before halloween and saw a very similar spider in a web that had the squiggle of silk in it. Being an idiot, I thought they put up a decoration, and leaned way in to look at the really neat fake spider.
At which point it moved, and I shrieked like a little girl.
I keep intending to get a picture, but every time I visit, either I forget my camera or the spider is nowhere in sight.
There are any spider-man here??
ReplyDeletetha is one ugly spider=]
ReplyDelete