 raindrops in web 2008.8.20 Photos copyright © 2008-2011 Kat Avila Cameras: Canon SD1000 (2008-09), SD780 IS (2009-11) |
Posted October 29, 2010. Spiders are technically not insects, because spiders have eight legs and insects have six. If you can get over your fear of spiders, then you'll be able to appreciate them from a natural design perspective. Their patterns and colors rival those of butterflies, except that spiders are predators and a few such as the female Western Black Widow Spider have poisonous bites that can be fatal to humans. Looking for spiders is like going on a scavenger hunt since they can be difficult to find in well-maintained urban settings. Aside from natural predators such as birds, larger spiders, and certain wasps, there are pesticides, vigilant landscape keepers, and fearful humans taking a toll on their numbers though spiders eat many harmful insects. There are hundreds of species of spiders in North America. I did my best to identify the photos using the following references. References — The Audubon Society, Field Guide to North American Insects & Spiders. Lorus and Margery Milne. 6th printing. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1989. — California Insects. Jerry A. Powell and Charles L. Hogue. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1979. — Spiders. Lionel Bender. New York: Shooting Star Press, 1995. (a nicely laid out children's book) — Spiders and Their Kin. Herbert W. and Lorna R. Levi. New York: Golden Press, 1987, 1968. — Spiders of the World. Rod and Ken Preston-Mafham. Reprint, New York: Blandford Press, 1988. | |||
| Orb Weaver, FAMILY ARANEIDAE | ||||
 Its web extends beyond the photo frame. 2008.9.15 |
 2008.9.15 |
 2008.9.15 |
 2008.9.15 |
 2010.9.22 |
 2010.9.27 |
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 2010.10.2 |
 a dried up shell 2010.8.17 |
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 Spider is in upper right. 2008.9.24 |
 dorsal view 2008.9.24 |
 lateral view 2008.9.24 |
 lateral view 2008.9.24 |
 ventral view 2008.9.24 |
 2011.10.20, 5:20 p.m. |
 2011.10.20, 5:20 p.m. |
 2011.10.20, 5:20 p.m. |
 2011.10.20, 5:20 p.m. |
 2011.10.20, 5:21 p.m. |
| Common Orb Weaver, Neoscona oxancensis, FAMILY ARANEIDAE | ||||
 dorsal view 2010.7.31 |
 lateral view 2010.7.31 |
 ventral view with 4 abdominal spots 2010.7.31 |
 dorsal view One of its rear right legs is a stump. 2010.8.15 |
 lateral view 2010.8.15 |
| It was amazing watching this spider create its web in the early evening. Its contortions reminded me of a mountain climber trying to find stable hand and foot holds. | ||||
 2010.9.22 |
 2010.9.22 |
 2010.9.22 |
 2010.9.22 |
 2010.9.22 |
| Trashline Orb Weaver, Cyclosa conica, FAMILY ARANEIDAE This spider can be difficult to see because it conceals itself in a vertical trail of debris (web decorations called "stabilimenta"), but generally the spider can be found at the center of the web. Note the cone-shaped extension of its abdomen. | ||||
 vertical trail of debris 2010.9.8 |
 lateral view 2010.9.8 |
 dorsal view 2010.9.8 |
 Scurrying for cover. 2008.8.15 |
 Safely camouflaged. 2008.8.15 |
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| Black-&-Yellow Argiope, Argiope aurantia, FAMILY ARANEIDAE | Argiope (unidentified) | |||
 female Argiope 2010.9.7 |
 close-up 2010.9.7 |
 ventral view (couldn't get dorsal view because of cactus) 2008.8.28 |
 The zig-zag bands help birds to spot webs before flying into them. 2008.8.15 |
 2008.8.15 |
| Silver Argiope, Argiope argentata, FAMILY ARANEIDAE The female Silver Argiope is 2.5 times as large as the male. |
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 female Argiope 2008.8.13 |
 close-up 2008.8.13 |
 female Argiope2010.10.8 |
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 female Argiope in web 2008.10.26 |
 dorsal view 2008.10.26 |
 close-up 2008.10.26 |
 ventral view 2008.10.26 |
 lateral view from top 2008.10.26 |
| Green Lynx Spider, Peucetia viridans, FAMILY OXYOPIDAE | ||||
 with honey bee prey 2008.8.13 |
 close-up 2008.8.13 |
 mom spider 2011.9.21 |
 mom spider over nest 2011.9.21 |
 mom spider over nest 2011.9.21 |
 mom spider with nest 2011.9.21 |
 lateral close-up 2011.9.21 |
 nest close-up 2011.9.21 |
 nest with silk lines 2011.9.21 |
 spiderling 2011.9.21 |
 spiderlings 2011.9.26 |
 nest with silk lines 2011.9.26 |
 dorsal view 2011.9.26 |
 close-up 2011.9.26 |
 dorsal view 2011.9.26 |
 close-up 2011.9.26 |
 "I've got all 8 eyes on you!" |
 from a diagonal 2011.9.26 |
 close-up 2011.9.26 |
 lateral view 2011.9.26 |
| Red Jumping Spider, Phidippus formosus, FAMILY SALTICIDAE. Unlike its web-building relatives, this spider seeks prey on the ground. | ||||
 This spider really jumped away. 2010.8.8 |
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| Unidentified Spiders | ||||
 Spider with prey on field bindweed flower. 2008.8.19 |
 2010.10.8 |
 spider relative(?) 2010.4.26 |
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