Tree Stump Spider Hatchlings

Description:

The Tree Stump Spider egg sac in the first two photos was previously shown in https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/15...... on Mar 30th., 2024. After that original spotting, I visited the farm daily and observed the mother spider guarding her eggs. On Apr 13th., the mother was gone and I felt sure that the egg sac would become a target for any one of a number of Mantises in the area. So, I cut the stem of the Tropical Whiteweed plant and brought it home (complete with the egg sac) and secured it on a Pigeon Pea Shrub in our garden. I have not seen any Mantises or Spider Wasps in our garden recently and I thought that the hatchlings might have a better chance of survival there.

Habitat:

Original habitat was a Tropical Whiteweed (Ageratum conyzoides), but as explained in Description, the egg sac was transferred to a Pigeon Pea Shrib (Cajanus cajan) in our front garden.

Notes:

Pic #1. The lower part of the egg sac is slightly darker because of the mass of eggs/hatchlings inside. Pic #2. The egg sac is lighter in colour and almost translucent after the hatchlings emerged. Pics # 3,4 & 5. The hatchlings have created a three dimensional scaffolding of silk threads and appear to be enjoying the sunlight.