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Araneus diadematus
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
There have been a lot of these guys in my Garden during recent weeks but I can't get a a shot in full focus, this was about the best I could manage, they all seem to have gone now
The European garden spider (Araneus diadematus) or diadem spider, also called the cross spider in Eastern Europe, is a very common and well-known orb-weaver spider in Western Europe. Araneus diadematus also lives in parts of North America, in a range extending from New England and the Southeast to the Northwestern United States and adjacent parts of Canada.
Individual spiders' colouring can range from extremely light yellow to very dark grey, but all European garden spiders have mottled markings across the back with five or more large white dots forming a cross. The white dots result from cells that are filled with guanine, which is a byproduct of protein metabolism.
The third pair of legs of garden spiders are specialized for assisting in the spinning of orb webs. These spiders also use them to move around on their web without getting stuck. These legs are useful only in the web; while on the ground, these legs are of little value.
Garden spiders have been known to stridulate when threatened.
Since this tends to be a passive animal, it is difficult to provoke to bite - but if it does, the bite is just slightly unpleasant and completely harmless to humans.
The webs are built by the larger females who usually lie head down on the web, as in this photo, waiting for prey to get entangled in the web. The prey is then quickly captured and wrapped in silk before being eaten. Orb Spiders are said to eat their webs each night along with many of the small insects stuck to it. They have been observed doing this within a couple of minutes. A new web is then spun in the morning.
The much smaller male will approach the female cautiously in order to mate. If not careful, he could end up being eaten by her.
Notes from Wilkipedia.com |
Alex99, oscarromulus, nglen, siggi has marked this note useful
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Hello Hil
The focus looks absolutely fine to me...Almost to good...I really dont like spiders!!
You have captured amazing details and colours that I havent seen before this detailed before.
All the Best
Paul
- Alex99
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3586 W: 143 N: 5690]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(18601) - [2008-10-12 8:36]
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Hi Hil.
Great close-up of an impressive specimen of spider. I like magnification level, superb lights and rich colours, excellent sharpness of the insect image and attractive dark surroundings. My best wishes and compliments. TFS.
Alexei.
Hilary,
GREAT PIECE OF WORK; both notes and specially the subject in focus.
P.E.R.F.E.C.T.I.O.N.
Warm greetings,
Mario.
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- nglen
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2916 W: 34 N: 8651]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(32250) - [2008-10-12 10:48]
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Hi Hilary . This is well in focus with good detail of the web and spider. with rich colours. you have used the light well. TFS.
Nick..
Hello Hil
A very good POV for this well patterned spider.
The colours are vivid and well saturated.
A very impressive DOF,this is a bit closer than I tend to get to spiders in realtime.
Very good details.
TFS
Wolf
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- siggi
(16364)
- [2008-10-14 0:29]
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great capture Hilary
very interesting spider with many details and interesting colors ,nice DOF
regards Siggi
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