Signature Spider's Web

Description:

I previously uploaded a spotting of this Argiope luzon sub-adult spider - https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/51...... That was on Dec. 21 and the spider was really too small to measure. In just 7 days, it seems that this spider has doubled in size and I am now quite sure that it is a female because, when I zoom in, I can see the faint stripes (present only on females) beginning to show on the carapace. In another week or so, this spider could be creating its first cruciate stabilimentum and I will be ready to upload another spotting of this beautiful creature. Please go to Notes below.

Habitat:

This Argiope luzona was spotted on its web in our backyard. The web was moored on the stems of some pot plants in the shade of a Mahogany Tree.

Notes:

I checked on this spider, early this morning and when I saw that its web and stabilimentum were in perfect condition, I decided that this was an opportunity to show that even very young Argiope luzona spiders are capable of amazing feats of engineering. Pic #1. shows the spider at the hub of its web, sitting on a complex and striking discoid stabilimentum. In order to make the orb web easier to see, I cropped my picture into four quadrants. If you are interested in the detail of orb webs, please zoom into each of the next four pictures. Pic #2. the bottom left quadrant. Pic #3. the bottom right quadrant. Pic #4. the top left quadrant and Pic #5. the top right quadrant. By looking at the photos in this way, it is much easier to see all of the features which the spider builds into its web to enable it to function properly. The web is the spiders home and refuge for its entire life. The sticky spiral (capture area) must trap prey, on contact. If an insect escapes, the spiders goes hungry. The web must be very strong, but must also be able to break in sections subjected to excessive force, so that the entire web does not collapse in a "domino" effect. This web is a stunning example of a high level of technology, the like of which has only been understood by humans in recent decades. Spiders have been doing this stuff for at least 140 million years - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orb-weaver...