Author Topic: Garden cross spiders  (Read 3379 times)

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Garden cross spiders
« on: 05 September, 2016, 11:00:14 pm »
The first of the autumn has made its web in the garden. How the hell do they manage to get from the washing line to the plants in the overgrown jungle that ought to be our vegetable patch? I inadvertently blundered into one of the main guy lines for the web the other day, breaking it. Within minutes the spider had climbed up another guy, worked her way across and seemed to be following an invisible thread back to the web whilst spinning a much more robust one. I have no idea how they do that. They are marvellous creatures.

That means that the washing line is hors concours for us for a month or so now, so that all the spiders can have the chance to make their webs without risk of damage from clumsy humans. We can dry clothes inside.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #1 on: 06 September, 2016, 12:32:44 pm »
I would never have  imagined that spiders could need human protection! Are they an endangered specie?

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #2 on: 06 September, 2016, 12:43:12 pm »
Well, there's no reason why spiders shouldn't have human protection. There is an SSSI in Mid Wales (Ystwyth Valley) in which the unusual spiders get a special mention - it's a post-industrial area as there was lead mining in the vicinity about 200 years ago and the residual lead pollution has lead (ha!) to some unusual species taking up residence.

But so far as I know, the garden cross spider is pretty common. It's just that they are such beautiful, fascinating creatures that I would rather not harm them if I can possibly avoid it. If that means drying the washing indoors for a few weeks in September every year, then so be it.

I noticed 3 webs in our garden this morning, all with their owners sat in the middle waiting for lunch to fly in.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #3 on: 06 September, 2016, 12:59:04 pm »
Hats off! I know very few people who call a spider "beautiful"!  It's probably because our lives are running so fast that we don't take the time to look at these small beauties!

Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #4 on: 06 September, 2016, 01:03:38 pm »
We have one of these in a hole between bricks by our side door.
Tube web spider

E resists all my suggestions of evicting it.

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #5 on: 06 September, 2016, 02:05:37 pm »
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #6 on: 06 September, 2016, 02:26:47 pm »
Oh dear god, someone hand me my MP41A pulse rifle...

Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #7 on: 06 September, 2016, 06:44:54 pm »
Ah,  isn't it sweet  ;D
the slower you go the more you see

Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #8 on: 07 September, 2016, 03:45:46 pm »
I love them but they seem to be smaller than usual this year. I love how they place the webs over the flowers in the garden but manage to attach a section to the washing line 10ft away




I much prefer the walnut orb weaver or a jumper. The walnut can give a rather nasty bite!

OnOne Pickenflick - Tour De Fer 20 - Pinnacle Arkose cx - Charge Cooker maxi2 fatty - GT Zaskar Carbon Expert

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #9 on: 07 September, 2016, 08:54:15 pm »
Mrs. Wow used the washing line and demolished the web today. I was very disappointed. The spider could be seen sulking on the leaf of a nearby plant.

I bet she replaces her web in the night.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #10 on: 07 September, 2016, 09:50:22 pm »
We have many indoor examples of arachnids doing there stuff! It was entertaining watching a wasp being consumed from the inside recently (sorry no photos). The indoor airers are as precarious in relation to the spiders webs as the outdoor washing line so it has to be decided on the basis of weather!

Morrisette

  • Still Suffolkating
    • Now Suffolkating on the internet:
Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #11 on: 13 September, 2016, 09:29:40 am »
I think they rebuild the webs every night, so if you use the washing line they will just spin a new web. If you go out in the garden at night you see them all spinning away. It doesn't seem to take them very long.
Not overly audacious
@suffolkncynical

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #12 on: 13 September, 2016, 09:46:45 am »
Spiders are truly wonderful creatures and far preferable to flies.
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #13 on: 13 September, 2016, 10:19:37 am »
That's what I thought, but the one that has been most disturbed doesn't seem to have one so, or at least has selected a different place.

Last autumn, one of these beasties repeatedly built its nest in the gateway to Phyllis's bungalow, which is bordered by privet hedge. I must have walked through that web about 4 times, and she rebuilt it each time.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Garden cross spiders
« Reply #14 on: 21 August, 2017, 07:09:11 pm »
Well, resurrection time.

There's one in the garden now. That's more than a fortnight earlier than last year. Do they eat blackberries?  :o
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.