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Cyclosa conica
The trashline orb-weaver it is easily recognized by the way it strings together the dead bodies of insects and other debris and hangs it near the center of its web. It hides on this string of debris, and its natural coloration makes it extremely difficult to see until it moves. One of its defenses against predators is to blend in with this debris and to feign death when disturbed.
Spotted on Sep 29, 2011
Submitted on Sep 29, 2011
3 Comments
So I have 'trashy' neighbors then! :)
Having looked it up I think you are right - & I was thinking of bringing it indoors to see what hatched! I guess I would have had a long wait!
I'd guess it is from a spider, either eggsacs or the remains of a few good meals. There is a spider called a Trashline Orbweaver that will attach a chain of its former prey to the center of its web and rest on that chain. It could be the remnants of such a web.
I'm eager to see if anyone knows what this is. I found some of these in North Carolina last fall and had no idea what they were. Anyone?