Wasp spider

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Wasp spider
Photo Information
Copyright: cemil kanberoglu (csmnlm) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 104 W: 0 N: 72] (441)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-17
Categories: Insects
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/50 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-07-19 11:24
Viewed: 860
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Wasp spider
Argiope bruennichi
It is thought that this species was introduced to this country from continental Europe. Its population was previously confined to the south coast but it seems to be spreading northwards. It has been recorded in this country since 1922 but it may have been here longer.



Physical Description
Female wasp spiders are 11-15mm and males are 4-4.5mm. The females are distinctively marked with a silvery thorax and black, yellow and white striped abdomen, but the males are pale brown.



Distribution
Wasp spiders live on the south coast of Britain. They have been recorded as far north as Cambridge. This species occurs around the Mediterranean sea and their range extends as far north as Scandinavia.



Habitat
They live in long grass and low vegetation. Because the egg sac is made on grass leaves, this spider can only become established where grass is not regularly managed. But this spider does occasionally turn up in barley fields.



Diet
Wasp spiders hunt flying insects and grasshoppers. Experiments have shown that they are also capable of dealing with the fearsome bombardier beetle. The bombardier beetle can produce a blast of hot chemicals from the tip of its abdomen. By wrapping the beetle in silk, the spider can immobilise it from a safe distance.



Behaviour
Wasp spiders build an orb web with a vertical zigzag pattern of silk in it called a stabilimentum. The purpose of the stabilimentum is unclear but it is thought that it helps attract insects. Previous theories have suggested that the stabilimentum makes the web more stable or deters birds flying through the large webs.



Reproduction
The male is much smaller than the female. He waits at the edge of the female's web until she has shed her skin to become mature. He then takes advantage of the fact that the female's jaws are soft to mate with her in safety. Many males, however, are eaten while mating.
fyapici, clnaef, horia, eruyanik, jmp, pilonm has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Cemil Bey! Bu gün izlediğim en enfes enstantene. Detaylar harika. Söylenecek tek bir şey var: Tebrikler. Paylaşımınız için de teşekürler.

  • Great 
  • clnaef Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 757 W: 57 N: 592] (6117)
  • [2006-07-19 11:29]

Bonjour,
Magnifique gros plan.
Le piège est prêt.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Very nice picture, Cemil.
The sharpness is amazing and the colors very vivid. Also like the POV and DOF, with part of the specific web in frame.
However, i think it would look better rotated, so i tried a WS. Hope you don't mind :)
Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hi Cemil, nice composition with true colors and details.

Andrea

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 782 W: 11 N: 1375] (4758)
  • [2006-07-19 18:01]

Hi Cemil, Great Picture
I love the sharpness and the vibrant colours, and all the info too.

TFS Hilary

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2726 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-07-19 22:35]

Hi Cemil

Very nice photo of this spider.Really nice colour and detail.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • chiliu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1549 W: 0 N: 1182] (6482)
  • [2006-07-19 22:40]

Hi Cemil,
Excellent close-up! Very sharp details and great colours.
Thanks for sharing!

Güzel bir tür ve güzel fotoğraflanmasıda oldukça zor gerçekten. Sen çok iyi başarmışsın, flaşsız bu kadar güzel detaylar,ve canlı renkler elde etmen şaşırtıcı. Sunumu dik olarak yapsaydın hem ağdaki başağı doğal duruşunu göstermiş olacaktın hem de daha da rahat izlenebilirdi.
Tebrikler...

  • Great 
  • pilonm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 540 W: 99 N: 803] (2613)
  • [2006-07-20 12:20]

Hello Cemil,

Wow! Superb picture of this very nice and colorful spider! Details are awesome and you got a great pov! In my opinion, you cropped the image a little bit too much. But it stays a wonderful picture with nice natural colors! Great pov too that enhances the animal! Good job and TFS,

Michel

Hello Cemil!
Very interesting spider. Beautiful colors, great POV and excellent sharpness. Too bad there's some chromatic aberration around the highlights, but that's the camera and I don't think there's anything you could possibly do to avoid it. Congratulations,
Mark

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