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Project Noah Nature School
Argiope sp.
This is a small spider measuring nearly 1/2" with the legs. It is a type of cross spider
Tropical dry forest in NW Costa Rica half way through the 6 month dry season.
Spotted on Jan 30, 2012
Submitted on Feb 3, 2012
11 Comments
....and that is the reason for project noah. Glad you enjoyed the spotting!
Wow. Great Capture. This image will be stuck in my retina for many years. When trying to recall images of spiders and webs, this will surely popup. Wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks P.!
Great photo!!
Thank you for the informative links Mr. Bayucca! I found them incredible. I agree that it is likely an immature argiope species. Sorry for the late reply...just got back to internet after being in some more remote areas.
Very cool web!
There are a lot of theories about the function of the stabilimentum. Definitely out is the one of stabilisation. Interesting is the one which emphazise that insect are attracted by the reflection of uv light from the stabilimentum. And the whole bird's story as well as you already pointed out. But there are 2 sides of the medal: Birds would be alerted by the net not to fly in it, on the other side it is an invitation for spider eating birds: Here am I... Discussed was also the function of deposits of surplus silk or clima regulation. An all over conclusion might be that the stabilimentum is a perfect multifunctional tool. Hereby some very interesting links about these functions:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_decorat...
http://www.bugsinthenews.com/stabiliment...
http://www.americanarachnology.org/JoA_f...
http://psyche.entclub.org/87/87-013.html...
BTW: Might this one be a younger Argiope sp., for example Argiope savignyi?? I am not very experienced with spiders, but it looks like the one of an Argiope, but definitely not an adult male/female one.
Karen, I am pretty sure that these webs are made to be seen by larger animals so that they do not destroy them as they are ambling about. Thank you for your comment!!!
What a lovely web!
Truly lovely. I am glad you enjoyed it chimet!
its beautiful :) especially the design of its web.....