Asian Weaver Ants

The Argiope luzona Egg Sac shown above was created by the mother spider, in the early hours of Dec 21 and I have been checking it daily, in the hope of getting some photos of the hatchlings emerging. In the rainy season, here in the Philippines, the incubation period (according to my notes of numerous observations) was usually 6 days, but I have been noticing that in the dry season, this period has increased to 9 or 10 days. Today was Day 9 for this egg sac and I was looking forward to an early morning session tomorrow, taking some photos of the great emergence. So, I was quite upset this afternoon when I spotted the egg sac being attacked by a swarm of Asian Weaver Ants (Oecophylla smaragdina). I thought that the ants were tearing the sac open to get at the spiders inside. So, I took pictures from different angles (force of habit). It was only later, when preparing this spotting, that I realized what was actually happening. The ants were not opening the sac to get at the little spiders inside. They were carrying the whole thing away, presumably to deal with it inside their nest. If I had stayed in one position, the slow, continuous movement in one direction would have been much easier to see in the photos. I will know better, if there is a next time (which I hope there will not be). I know it is all part of nature, but when it comes to my favourite spider...... well you don't need me to spell it out.