Who doesn’t love a good orb-weaver? These charismatic
spiders have long, dramatic legs, unique abdomens, and impressive webs to boot.
The sharp angles, large bodies, and bright colors can be frightening to an
untrained eye, but orb-weavers are shy and nearly harmless.
Now that it is spring at
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, the Orchard Orb-Weavers (Leucauge venusta) are abundant. I was treated to dozens of these
beauties one morning as I was treating a nasty invasive plant called Brazilian pepper (Schinus
terebinthifolius) in a mixed forest. Brazilian pepper is easier to identify
by its leaves and berries than the trunk, so I walked through the trees looking
up and tracing the foliage back to the base, where I applied the herbicide.
The height at which the Orchard
Orb-Weaver prefers to build its horizontal web varies by maturity, but my head
level was undeniably in the range. In my quest for Brazilian pepper, I ate
quite a bit of web. On nearly each aggregation, I saw a large and glossy female
and a much smaller, less impressive male off to the side which leads me to
believe that it is mating season for these annual spiders.
They may be common around
Corkscrew, but I get excited every time I see their attractive green, orange,
and white patterns. After all, that is why they are called the ‘Jewel of the
Swamp’ (okay, only I call them that, but I think it could catch on). I’m not
the only one who appreciates their good looks - Leucauge is Greek for “with a bright gleam,” and venusta is Latin for charming,
elegant, or beautiful.
The good news is that Orchard
Orb-Weavers are found over the entire continental US, though regional variation
exists. The next time you see a round horizontal web in a moist wooded area,
take the time to check for a ‘Jewel of the Swamp.’
Source:
“Leucauge venusta”. Spiders.us. 28 April 2016 <http://www.spiders.us/species/leucauge-venusta/>.
---Until Next Time
Kristina
---Until Next Time
Kristina
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