Labyrinth Spider (Metepeira, Araneidae)
I believe this is a tiny Labyrinth Spider (genus Metepeira, Araneidae) in a still-flowering shrub of native Coyote Bush (Baccharis pilularis, Asteraceae). It looks like one of the big orb-weavers like this one, but it's really tiny - only about 560 pixels across in this 1:1 macro shot, which comes to 2.2 mm - less than 1/10 inch. (See here for how I figure.) That's even smaller than the similar spider in this photo, though foreshortening might make the difference. I don't know if it's a juvenile or just tiny. These spiders make a composite web with a proper orb web and a separate retreat off to the side, see my [Previous] photo. There is always a line that connects the two, and this spider has its screen-left front legs on the line waiting for a strike. Arachtober 14. (San Marcos Pass, 14 October 2019)
Today was cooler and breezy. Tomorrow will be a problem as we have another maintenance power outage so that the power will be off from 8:00 to 5:00 . . . they say. If they really finish their work by 5:00 pm, I'll be able to post tomorrow. Otherwise maybe not.
Labyrinth Spider (Metepeira, Araneidae)
I believe this is a tiny Labyrinth Spider (genus Metepeira, Araneidae) in a still-flowering shrub of native Coyote Bush (Baccharis pilularis, Asteraceae). It looks like one of the big orb-weavers like this one, but it's really tiny - only about 560 pixels across in this 1:1 macro shot, which comes to 2.2 mm - less than 1/10 inch. (See here for how I figure.) That's even smaller than the similar spider in this photo, though foreshortening might make the difference. I don't know if it's a juvenile or just tiny. These spiders make a composite web with a proper orb web and a separate retreat off to the side, see my [Previous] photo. There is always a line that connects the two, and this spider has its screen-left front legs on the line waiting for a strike. Arachtober 14. (San Marcos Pass, 14 October 2019)
Today was cooler and breezy. Tomorrow will be a problem as we have another maintenance power outage so that the power will be off from 8:00 to 5:00 . . . they say. If they really finish their work by 5:00 pm, I'll be able to post tomorrow. Otherwise maybe not.