David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images
Arachnoids 16 – Cross or Garden Spiders
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (f)
CROSS OR GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (m)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDER Araneus diadematus (m)
CROSS OR GARDEN SPIDERS Araneus diadematus (m, f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDERS Araneus diadematus (m, f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDERS Araneus diadematus (m, f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDERS Araneus diadematus (m, f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDERS Araneus diadematus (m, f)
CROSS OR
GARDEN SPIDERLINGS Araneus diadematus
·
The Cross, Garden or Diadem Spider Araneus diadematus (Araneidae) is probably one of the
most familiar of all British invertebrates. The peak time for locating adults
is late summer/early autumn and their webs will be particularly conspicuous if
there has been a frost or an early morning mist as they will be covered by dew.
These constructions are miniature masterpieces of design and the material used
(silk) is extraordinarily strong and flexible in addition to having a sticky
surface to entrap insects. The webs cannot be observed by the spiders when they
are being constructed as the eyes are positioned on top of the cephalothorax to
provide warning of potential predators, so the weaving is performed by touch
and using highly coordinated leg movements. As may be seen from the photographs
a wide range of prey species will be taken (social wasps, flies and ladybirds
have been trapped including an example of the invasive Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis). Some insects may be strong enough to wriggle free, but they will need
to do so before being bitten. Once the venom has been injected the spider will
release digestive juices and ingest the liquidised internal contents of the
paralysed prey, leaving only a husk. Several of the photographs illustrate a
male cautiously approaching a female in an ultimately successful attempt to
mate. There were several attempts, and the male dropped down on a line of silk
on each occasion before trying again if he felt threatened. He needed to stroke
the web gently with his legs to avoid giving the impression to the female that
he was a recently entrapped, wriggling, prey item. His persistence paid off, as
he survived the encounter despite competition from a rival mail, and without
contributing to her diet! Clusters of spiderlings are fascinating to watch, and
they will scuttle off in all directions if disturbed. Most will undoubtedly be
eaten by birds and other predators. It would be something of a challenge to try
to tot up the number of eyes and legs in the final photograph! Eight times
something for each calculation…
·
David’s short film of a Cross Spider building her web may be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFkB5ZRRMF8&list=PL4AirIEc0NofrocqOMDdQ-AlSBrfto2ps&index=10.
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Arachnoids 1,
2, 3,
4, 5,
6, 7,
8,
9,
10, 11,
12, 13,
14, 15,
16, 17,
18, 19,
20, 21,
22, 23,
24, 25,
26, 27,
28, 29,
30, 31,
32, 33,
34, 35,
36, 37
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