<< Previous Next >>

Wasp Spider


Wasp Spider
Photo Information
Copyright: David White (dkaved) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 266 W: 18 N: 433] (2106)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-25
Categories: Insects, Spiders
Camera: Nikon D70S, Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Macro
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/320 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-09-04 10:44
Viewed: 907
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The common name of this beautiful spider is Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi). This spider is, like all orb-weavers, not poisonous for us.
The adult female has a shining silvery cephalothorax (head) and a yellowish abdomen with black and white bars across it.

The adult female is much larger than the male. The male measures between 4 and 6 mm while the female has a full grown size between 14 - 17 mm.
When the female is loaded with eggs she can become enormous in size.
Argiopes can be easily identified by the zigzag of white silk in their webs. Like all orb-weavers, they have ringed legs.
The function of the zigzag of white silk in their web is not clear. There are several ideas what the purpose may be.
It may be used to attract insects because it is radiating UV-light and that attract insects. Another explanation is that it is to frighten predators. The spider shakes the web vigorously when something large is approaching and that result in a blurry white spot.
Another explanation can be that the spider makes the web clear to see and that should avoid large animals to destroy the web.

In July the males mate with the females and often loose their life or some legs after their 'duty'.
The female makes a brown cocoon one month after mating and the young spiders hatch the next year in spring. The female dies in the winter.

The spider lives in open grassy areas and makes her web amongst the grass and low herbage. In the Mediterranean she is very common but the last decennia she is moving up North.
She is reported often from Limburg in the South of The Netherlands, around Berlin in Germany and in Great-Britain where she was already reported in 1940.

When the spider catches her prey she wraps it very fast in silk. After a lethal bite with venom and protein dissolving enzymes she waits until the prey does not struggle anymore and sucks it empty or hangs the packet in her web to consume it later.
If a too large insect gets into her web she bites the threads in which the insect hangs loose of her web until the insect falls out.
siggi, Arjun, taba, rousettus, eqshannon, nirmalroberts, thor68, gracious has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1373 W: 56 N: 4723] (16252)
  • [2008-09-04 10:47]

Great macro David. Colorfull with very good sharpness and very good details. Very good job. Well done. Thank you for posting.
Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 7 N: 1110] (5404)
  • [2008-09-04 10:55]

Amazing macro David,
There are 3 isects in the pic which are unbelievable.
beautifully composed with lovely details
TFS

  • Great 
  • taba Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 480 W: 128 N: 303] (1701)
  • [2008-09-04 11:35]

Hi David

I think this is a very good capture and in a special moment indeed.
nice colors and great sharpness on the object..

I like the light also..

TFS

Taba

Shalom David
this is great macro for wasp spider with great sharp details, timing, POV and composition. colors also great. I am not specialist on the spiders, but A. bruennichi here a bit different yours, as I observed. maybe subspecies different. but great work indeed when it fed.
TFS, best wishes
Ahmet

Well all things come from G-d as you know and this one must certainly have its purpose...perhaps it is symbolic you post it now with all of the things happening..You know Carl Jung had much to say in psycology which many credit him for creating...and this is an important archetype! I congratulate you on your image and have a good shabbat! blessing to your house! In peace...
Shalom
Bob

Hello David,
Perfect picture of this beautiful spider in action. Very well done. TFS.
- Nirmal

what a terrific close-up of the pretty spider, david! :-) well timed with it just having lunch. sharpness and details are great
and i really like the nice blurred bg with the blue spots (flowers?). the small spider on the top is the male then? well seen & captured, thor.

Hello David,
How are you!
I can not afford to miss this outstanding macro with high standard!
so real that you can see it as if infront of your face!
the amazing sharpness, colour and details is simply perfect
my special compliment for this shot!
take care and regards
Tony

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF