NGC-Orb Weaver

[redrider]

We have an Orb Weaver on our back deck. What a beauty she is. Lengthwise, she is about 5 inches. Yesterday I was able to watch her molt an after she emerged, the male moved in. Fascinating how Nature works. Get well soon, Cam!

[rodekyll]

I was monitoring a big orb spider (not THAT big though) in a tree while I was in St Paul.  It ate its web in the morning except for some long stringers.  In the evening it rebuilt it in just a few minutes -- hardly slowed down to tack the joints.

[sib]

I was monitoring a big orb spider (not THAT big though) in a tree while I was in St Paul.  It ate its web in the morning except for some long stringers.  In the evening it rebuilt it in just a few minutes -- hardly slowed down to tack the joints.

Yes, they're amazing, like a lot of "lower" creatures, if we watch them do their thing.  A few summers ago we had a resident orb weaver on the porch, at the roof line and near a flood light.  Every night, it (probably a she) would build its orb, and wait patiently for a moth to be attracted to the light and run into the web.  Then, dinnertime.  If it was a small moth, she'd wrap it up and wait for another one.  By the end of the night when we would turn off the light, she'd have a good collection to dine on until the morning.  Then, take apart the orb, repair what needs to be repaired, and wait until the next evening to start all over again.  Not a bad life, probably.

[fotoguzzi]

get a camera!

[Cam Lay]

Thanks!

Most of the really big ones are Argiope of one species or another. Lots of pictures on line if you want to figure out which one. They are pretty inoffensive, though I wouldn't stick one in my mouth and let it crawl around as one of my coworkers once did. (Cold sober, I might add.) They are venomous, like all spiders - that's how they eat, after all.

And yes, most of them eat their silk every day or two. It's very expensive to produce, so they slather it with enzymes and slurp it up. All they have for mouthparts is fangs, after all. Great for digested and liquified prey, not so hot if you need to chew or lap something up.

Enjoy, and thanks for the kind thought! I'm doing better and might even start very mild PT next week. Just range-of-motion stuff, as the bones haven't started calcifying much yet. Still can't drive, so have to get rides with 16-year old stepdaughter who is still on a learner's permit... And I swear, if the orthopedic doc utters the phrase "for a man your age" or "lucky it wasn't worse" one more time I am going to hit him with my cane...

Take care,
C

We have an Orb Weaver on our back deck. What a beauty she is. Lengthwise, she is about 5 inches. Yesterday I was able to watch her molt an after she emerged, the male moved in. Fascinating how Nature works. Get well soon, Cam!

[charlie b]

And I swear, if the orthopedic doc utters the phrase "for a man your age" or "lucky it wasn't worse" one more time I am going to hit him with my cane...

Take care,
C

Cam, now don't get thrown in jail for assault and battery.  After all, for a man your age, jail would not be in your best interest  :D  :D

And always appreciate your knowledge of the bugs.  Every time I see a neat spider web, or wierd colored moth, or other bugs, I think "If Cam were here he'd know what that is."

Get well soon.

[fotoguzzi]

https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/ym0ZBXVis1sHJw9VdUEQpQ--/YXBwaWQ9c3JjaGRkO2g9NTUwO3E9OTU7dz00Mjc-/http://ih3.redbubble.net/image.9261490.6311/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg

[Chuck in Indiana]

"for a man your age"

Never have heard that one.. 

[sib]

Cam, now don't get thrown in jail for assault and battery.  After all, for a man your age, jail would not be in your best interest  :D  :D

And always appreciate your knowledge of the bugs.  Every time I see a neat spider web, or wierd colored moth, or other bugs, I think "If Cam were here he'd know what that is."

Get well soon.

Too many battery threads here already.  No need to assault anybody with one.

Heal well and fast.