Nature's Zigzag
Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
When I start seeing these beautiful spiders I know that fall isn't far away. To me their unique web is a true harbinger of fall and cooler weather. I currently have two of these spiders in my yard, that I know about. Their webs are usually between two and eight feet off the ground so it's easy to watch these spiders in action.
The web of these spiders may be up to 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter. In the center is the web decoration or stabilimentum made from a dense zigzag of silk. The stabilimentum function is a subject of debate. Some believe it acts as camouflage for the spider, but it may also attract inspect prey or even warn birds of the presence of the otherwise difficult-to-see web.
This spider is a female as the males are much smaller and light brown in color. She will mate only once and produce between one and four egg sacks. Each egg sack may contain over 1,000 eggs.
She will die around the time we have our first hard frost, usually mid to late October. Next spring the baby spiders will exit the egg sack(s) with some staying nearby while others exude a strand of silk that gets caught in the breeze, carrying them further away.
Source: Wikipedia
Nature's Zigzag
Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
When I start seeing these beautiful spiders I know that fall isn't far away. To me their unique web is a true harbinger of fall and cooler weather. I currently have two of these spiders in my yard, that I know about. Their webs are usually between two and eight feet off the ground so it's easy to watch these spiders in action.
The web of these spiders may be up to 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter. In the center is the web decoration or stabilimentum made from a dense zigzag of silk. The stabilimentum function is a subject of debate. Some believe it acts as camouflage for the spider, but it may also attract inspect prey or even warn birds of the presence of the otherwise difficult-to-see web.
This spider is a female as the males are much smaller and light brown in color. She will mate only once and produce between one and four egg sacks. Each egg sack may contain over 1,000 eggs.
She will die around the time we have our first hard frost, usually mid to late October. Next spring the baby spiders will exit the egg sack(s) with some staying nearby while others exude a strand of silk that gets caught in the breeze, carrying them further away.
Source: Wikipedia