Signature Spider

Description:

Argiope luzona (Walckenaer, 1842). This spotting is a continuation of - https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/17...... and I have taken the liberty of using a picture from that previous spotting as my first picture here, for reasons which will become clear. As previously described, the stabilimentum (web decoration) is very unusual, but that was back on Sep 21 and, despite being astonished, when I first saw it, I assumed that it would be "corrected" by the following motning. Argiope spiders (and many other orb weavers) usually repair or completely renew their webs (and decorations, if they have one) every night. This "maintenance" is absolutely necessary to repair damage done by heavy insects (beetles etc.) which fly straight through webs and leave gaping holes. Even the spider, itself, can do considerable damage when it rushes across its web and struggles to subdue prey insects. If repairs and renewals are not carried out, the spider will be less able to trap prey and, presumably, will die of starvation. Please see Notes below.

Habitat:

This spider was spotted in the front yard of the rice mill. Its web was moored on the stems of a Blushing Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens). This is a climbing plant, growing on the trunk of a very big, more than 100 years old, Mango Tree.

Notes:

Picture #1. (Sep 21, 7:53 a.m.) The spider on its web with a very unusual stabilimentum. Pic #2. Sep 22, 7:36 a.m. The female spider still there, but it is obvious that the web decoration has not been renewed. A quick inspection revealed that the damages done to the web during the night had not been repaired. This is not unique, but it is not the "norm". Pic #3. Sep 23, 7:40 a.m. What is this? The stabilimentum is still not renewed and looking very shabby. A further inspection of the web revealed that it was also in a shambolic state. No maintenace had been done to this web or decoration, since the decoration was first made. Is this spider now incapable of recovering from this poor state? It cannot be catching prey with such a dilapidated web and stabilimentum. Is it now just a matter of time until it dies from starvation? Pic #4. Sep 24, 7:45 a.m. At last, some semblance of order. The web is all "ship-shape and Bristol fashion" and the stabilimentum... well, it has been replaced, but, I think the poorest effort I have ever seen. The arms are so small, I don't know how they could be considered fit for purpose. However, since no one has really been able to unequivocally explain their "purpose", it probably doesn't matter how "poor" they look. Pic #5. Sep 24, 7:43 a.m. This photo perhaps dismisses all my concerns about the fitness of this spider. It shows the female, near the bottom of the picture, slightly left of centre and, near the top, slightly right of centre what can you see? A handsome little male with his eye on our lady Argiope luzona. She must be "O.K." if she is able to attract a prospective mate. Pic # 6. Sep 24, 7:45 a.m. A close up of the tiny male. (note: the female and male close-ups are not to scale the male is so small that I had to magnify him more. All's well that ends well.