All Wrapped Up - Argiope Spider
by Karen Slagle
Title
All Wrapped Up - Argiope Spider
Artist
Karen Slagle
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
I found this orb weaver on my fence with his supper all wrapped up in a neat package. This image was taken in the panhandle of Texas.
Uploaded
March 24th, 2012
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Viewed 259 Times - Last Visitor from Beverly Hills, CA on 03/25/2024 at 6:29 PM
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Comments (24)
Randy Rosenberger
A very unique macro shot of this spider, dinner to go, and the web! Love teh detail and color, even though I am not a favorite of spiders either. But they are surely one of nature's most interesting creatures. Thanks for sharing this unique capture with us, Karen!
Karen Slagle replied:
Thank you Randy for your most kind comments and for having a look at this critter. He really was pretty with all those colors....Just don't touch me with those legs. I don't like walking into webs either...LOL
Diane Schuster
Great image, Karen, not much into spiders unless I have a zoom lens handy, but this is cool! Dee
Karen Slagle replied:
Thank you Dee. I don't like spiders either but leave them alone if they're outside. These orb weavers are very good bug catchers.
Sharon Mau
Features: :: Dimensions :: :: Greeting Cards :: :: Blue :: 24 March 2012 . . beautiful photography Karen . these spiders are benign . they are beneficial arthropods and I always love seeing them in the garden . I believe this one you have in your location is called the Argiope . . The black-and-yellow argiope spider (Argiope aurantia) is quite attractive and one of our more conspicuous species of orb weaving spiders. Orb web means it spins a web like a circle. The species name "aurantia" comes from medieval Latin “aurantium” meaning “orange (the fruit)”. Other commonly used names for this spider are golden orb-weaver, yellow garden orb-weaver and the writing spider. The black-and-yellow argiope breeds once a year. Adult males roam in search of potential mates. When they find a female, they build a small web with a white zigzag band across the middle either nearby or in an outlying part of the female's web. Potential males court by plucking and vibrating her web. After mating, each female produces one or more (usually no more than three) brown, papery egg sacs. They are round in shape and up to an inch wide—each containing 300 to 1,400 eggs. The female attaches her egg sacs to one side of her web, close to her resting position at the center, since suspending the cocoon is particularly effective against ant predation . . . Spiders belong to the order Araneae, part of the larger class of arachnids . . We have similar spiders here on Maui and they grow to be enormous . . You'll probably have much more traffic on this beautiful photograph for sales if you add Argiope to your title and tags . . When I find them in my garden I almost consider them a pet and am careful not to disturb them . . . we live in harmony :)) . . The ones we have here on Maui grow to be very large and are yellow and black . . I always find it fascinating how they seem to be so gentle . and considering their enormous size that is truly a good thing :))
Karen Slagle replied:
Wow Sharon. Thank you SO MUCH for the description and name of this spider. I am in awe of your knowledge concerning them. I will put the correct term for them in the tag and title. I'm so happy you told me, from now on I will talk to you first so you can give me the correct name. I watched this one for a week or more. He was on the fence close to autumn and after it got cold I didn't see him anymore. I like taking their pictures but don't want them touching me. I got bit by a brown recluse, spent a week in the hospital, had surgery and I am afraid of them....We've seen many more in our house since. Thank you once again.
Lianne Schneider
I am definitely NOT a fan of spiders, Karen - but I am a fan of great photography and this certainly is that! A truly incredible macro - fabulous color and detail.
Karen Slagle replied:
Thank you Lianne for your visit and kind comments....I am not a fan either, but I do like the webs they make. If I find them in the house they're dead....Thanks again.