Writing Spider
Argiope aurantia
39.7589, -84.1916
Field Notes
Description:
Large spider with black and yellow markings on abdomen, and silvery grey cephalothorax. Web appox. a foot and a half across, with zig-zag of silk in center.
Habitat:
Web was stretched between a short sapling and a fence nearby my compost bin.
Notes:
When the web was disturbed, the spider bobbed violently. At first I thought that this was simply because the spider was heavy, and it was a little windy anyway. But when I got closer, it looked to me like the spider was actually bouncing the web on purpose. I believe that shaking the web helps dislodge any unwanted debris that might fall into the web, but also helps to entrap any small insects that are caught - see the video clip I took.
The entire compost bin area has become a really interesting community. There are at least 3 different species of spiders, sow bugs, various gnats and flies, and all sorts of other visitors.
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