Saturday, November 30, 2013

 
Golden Orb Weaver
(Nephila Clavipes
This spider is not dangerous - unless you are an insect...



            Known as cribellate silk, think of it as 'spider wool'. Yes, in the future, you'll be wearing it       -and then some.

2 comments:

  1. Good Morning! As I look out my front door, I see the thin cover of snow and frost on everything, including my front entrance where I, too, was visited by a beautiful orb weaver. At first, I couldn't believe my eyes! It was the largest spider I had ever seen. This was back in August and when I saw my neighbor, a teacher, I asked her to come by and take a look. She had also never seen such a creature! We both were a bit alarmed and I immediately ran to my computer to identify it. Besides contacting, you, my personal spider expert, I sent a photo and email to the U of M to identify her (they did respond and told me she was harmless and would probably be gone in a few days...) Then, I was absolutely transfixed by her. Not only was her web an incredible configuration of perfect lines and concentric circles, but down the middle was this perfect, heavy spiral of white, just as you show in your photo. Every morning, I woke up to look for her, knowing her time with me was short, but oh so precious! She visited me for eight days and then was gone--web and all! As a weaver myself, I felt honored to be visited by a fellow artisan and so grateful for the simple happiness she brought to my life.

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  2. Thanks Michelle! That was amazing about the same time that you and three others all had similar experiences. Late summer/Fall is definitely the time these webs seem to be most apparent.

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