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Dolomedes minor
Nursery web spiders are known for their webs, yet they do not use them to catch prey. The webs of these spiders are a common sight on gorse and other shrubs and are, as the name suggests, literally nurseries for young spiderlings. During summer, the female nursery web spider can be seen roaming about carrying a large white ball underneath her. This is her egg sac and she carries it everywhere in her fangs until her young are ready to emerge. When this time comes, she takes the egg sac to the top of a tree or shrub and constructs the nurseryweb. The mother stays close, and during the day can often be found near the base of the plant where she has deposited her young. Secure inside the nurseryweb, the young spiderlings emerge from the eggsac and remain here for about a week or so before dispersing by ballooning.
11 Comments
great info. It explains so well why it is called a nursery web spider! Loved it!
Thanks, dear @PerilsOfPlastic :)
Awesome Despina!!
Yes, spiders can act in a really smart way :)
Smart spiders. Love it.
I'm glad you like it, dear @YukoChartraw :)
Incredible!
Dear @Leuba, mom knew how to choose the right place for her nest :)
Dear @JillBlack, it was a first for me! And it was the only such web around, I wouldn't miss it for anything:)
We can see that the hatchlings would be very well protected - great spotting and thanks for the information.
Great web there seem to be a lot more around this year in my garden carrying white balls around with them