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Spiny orb-weaver
Gasteracantha sp.
6.452, 3.414
Field Notes
Description:
Spiny orb-weavers is a common name for Gasteracantha, a genus of spiders. They are also commonly called Spiny-backed orb-weavers, due to the prominent spines on their abdomen. These spiders can reach sizes of up to 30mm in diameter (measured from spike to spike). Although their shell is shaped like a crab shell with spikes, it is not to be confused with a crab spider.
Orb-weavers' bites are generally harmless to humans.
Notes:
Spiders often attach highly visible silk bands called decorations or stabilimenta to their webs. Field research suggests that webs with more decorative bands captured more prey per hour. However a laboratory study showed that spiders reduce the building of these decorations if they sense the presence of predators.
After spinning it in silk and immobilizing it venom, digestive enzymes from midgut of the spider liquifies the tissues of the grasshopper making it easy for the spider to suck it up as fluid (as it can't take in solid food), leaving behind the empty husk or exoskeleton of the grasshopper.
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