Oct 27, 2014 Field Notes "As occasionally I run into the spider, today happened to be one of those days. Eyes so focused, the eyes of a born killer. The pattern on its back is interesting and beautiful. I'm wondering how long it's been here before I even noticed it? How many flies and bugs has it killed. Why did it choose this spot? .. A fly gets stuck in its web, but instead of getting stuck it moves crazily and frees itself leaving nothing, but a hole for the spider to repair. Is this what nature is really made of ? .."
This is the spider I have noticed in my garden. I was able to recognize it due to the distinction of the web pattern.
When I was younger I always asked what we really need spiders for? Why couldn't we just kill them all?
Then I found out that they are actually really important to the environment in the way that they control the insect population. (Animals,The Importance Of Spiders In An Ecosystem) So I May not have noticed, but this spider could have been the reason why I rarely saw flies or other bugs in the garden.
One interesting fact I also got from this source was that Spider silk has been proven to be the strongest thing in the world. This is AMAZING ! I Never would have guessed that.
Since I have been really focusing on the weather changes effect on the garden I Had begun wondering if my ugly little spider will be hibernating this winter. I found that there are some spiders that do hibernate, but not the Orb Weaver. This spider dies when the cold comes. In order to reproduce it does leave behind an egg sac behind before it dies. Which survives until the next season. (Animal Questioning, Do Spiders Hibernate?)This really reminded me of Charlotte's Web because she left behind an egg sac before death. This is a beautiful process & if my spider is a girl I'm hoping to come crossed the egg sac.
Works Cited
"Do Spiders Hibernate?" Animal Questioning. N.p. Web. 30 Oct. 2014
"The Importance Of Spiders To An Ecosystem." Animals. N.p. Web. 30 Oct. 2014
I've never thought about what spiders do in the winter. Great information.
ReplyDeleteThe part where you talked about how a fly gets stuck in the web, later freeing itself and leaving the spider to repare the hole in its web is beautiful. I never knew that the silk the spider makes is one of the strongest in the world. I liked how you talked about the spider dying and leaving its eggs, it shows that with beauty, there has to be something ugly.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that their web is the strongest in the world, I didn't really think about how strong each one might be. I really like how you say that the fly left a hole for the spider to repair. It shows that not all insects caught in the web are meant to die that moment in their life. Nice blog !
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog and understanding your connection to Charlotte's Web. Your descriptions are lovley. I can see why spiders are beneficial. Through the use of preys getting away, insect populations being controlled, and even life after death you demonstrate a beautiful side of spiders that I would have never thought of.
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