MrClean1982
"Put On a Happy Face"
Look at the "eyes" in the LARGER version! Click here: View On Black
NOT LETHAL AT ALL! HERE'S SOME INFO:
Spiny orb weavers have a broad, hard abdomen that can be white, orange, or yellow with red markings. There are six pointy “spines” protruding from the edges. The carapace, legs, and venter are black.
The spiny orb weaver spins flat, round shaped webs in shrubs, trees, and in the corners of windows and similar outdoor areas of buildings. A new web is constructed each night to make sure that the structure is secure. Typically, adult females construct webs because male species hang from a single thread close by the nest of a female.
The web itself is constructed from a basic foundation, which consists of a single vertical strand. The foundation is connected with a second primary line or by a primary radius. After making this basic framework, the spider begins to construct a strong exterior radius, and continues to spin secondary non-viscid radii.
The larger webs have ten to thirty radii. There is a central disk where the spider rests. This is separated from the sticky (viscid) spirals by an open area with a catching area in the web. Conspicuous tufts of silk also occur on the web, primarily on the foundation lines.
The difference between foundation silk and tufted silk is visibly distinct. The true function of these tufts is unknown, but some studies suggest that the tufts serve as little flags to warn birds and prevent them from flying into and destroying the web. The spiny orb weaver’s web may be quite close to the ground. Females live solitarily on individual webs and up to three males may dangle on silk threads nearby.
The spiny orb weaver’s web captures flying, and sometimes crawling, pests such as beetles, moths, mosquitoes, whiteflies, and other small fly species. A female builds her web at an angle, where she rests on the central disk, face down, awaiting her prey. When a small insect flies into the web, she moves quickly to the quarry, determining its exact location, and size, and immobilizes it.
If the prey is smaller than the spider, she will carry it back to the central disk and eat it. If her victim is larger than she is, she will wrap the numbed creature on either side and either climb back up the web or swing down a drag line before climbing up to her resting area.
Sometimes several insects are caught at the same time. The spiny orb weaver must find and paralyze them all. If it is not necessary to relocate them elsewhere on her web, the spider may just feed on them where they are, then come back to them as she pleases. She feeds upon the liquefied insides of her meal, and the drained carcasses are then discarded from the web.
Spiny orb weavers are one of the many beneficial spiders we have, since it preys upon small pests that are present in crops and suburban areas. They help to control overpopulation of these insects. Spiny orb weavers are not dangerous and would easily be overlooked if not for their unique coloration.
Spiny orb weavers do not invade the indoors unless carried in while residing in a potted plant. Spiny orb weavers are not dangerous—they are beneficial animals. They should not be killed, if at all possible.
"Put On a Happy Face"
Look at the "eyes" in the LARGER version! Click here: View On Black
NOT LETHAL AT ALL! HERE'S SOME INFO:
Spiny orb weavers have a broad, hard abdomen that can be white, orange, or yellow with red markings. There are six pointy “spines” protruding from the edges. The carapace, legs, and venter are black.
The spiny orb weaver spins flat, round shaped webs in shrubs, trees, and in the corners of windows and similar outdoor areas of buildings. A new web is constructed each night to make sure that the structure is secure. Typically, adult females construct webs because male species hang from a single thread close by the nest of a female.
The web itself is constructed from a basic foundation, which consists of a single vertical strand. The foundation is connected with a second primary line or by a primary radius. After making this basic framework, the spider begins to construct a strong exterior radius, and continues to spin secondary non-viscid radii.
The larger webs have ten to thirty radii. There is a central disk where the spider rests. This is separated from the sticky (viscid) spirals by an open area with a catching area in the web. Conspicuous tufts of silk also occur on the web, primarily on the foundation lines.
The difference between foundation silk and tufted silk is visibly distinct. The true function of these tufts is unknown, but some studies suggest that the tufts serve as little flags to warn birds and prevent them from flying into and destroying the web. The spiny orb weaver’s web may be quite close to the ground. Females live solitarily on individual webs and up to three males may dangle on silk threads nearby.
The spiny orb weaver’s web captures flying, and sometimes crawling, pests such as beetles, moths, mosquitoes, whiteflies, and other small fly species. A female builds her web at an angle, where she rests on the central disk, face down, awaiting her prey. When a small insect flies into the web, she moves quickly to the quarry, determining its exact location, and size, and immobilizes it.
If the prey is smaller than the spider, she will carry it back to the central disk and eat it. If her victim is larger than she is, she will wrap the numbed creature on either side and either climb back up the web or swing down a drag line before climbing up to her resting area.
Sometimes several insects are caught at the same time. The spiny orb weaver must find and paralyze them all. If it is not necessary to relocate them elsewhere on her web, the spider may just feed on them where they are, then come back to them as she pleases. She feeds upon the liquefied insides of her meal, and the drained carcasses are then discarded from the web.
Spiny orb weavers are one of the many beneficial spiders we have, since it preys upon small pests that are present in crops and suburban areas. They help to control overpopulation of these insects. Spiny orb weavers are not dangerous and would easily be overlooked if not for their unique coloration.
Spiny orb weavers do not invade the indoors unless carried in while residing in a potted plant. Spiny orb weavers are not dangerous—they are beneficial animals. They should not be killed, if at all possible.