Slug Caterpillar and Writing Spider Stabilimentum

danielj

April 8th, 2006 at 12:00 am

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Bright Blue Bug!!!
Hello BugMan!!
I just came across your site was perusing google, and was blown away by these amazing photos. I have a photo of this incredible bug I saw in Indonesia and am wondering what the heck it is. I have so many pictures of amazing bugs, and also, one picture of this zigzag spider web which I have questions about. ZIGZAG spiderwebs…crazy, what advantage does it provide the spider to have a zigzag web?? I look forward to hearing from you, and please feel free to post for all of those bug lovers out there!!Also, just incase you’re interested, I’m from Vancouver Island on the West Coast of Canada, and someone there has put a camera in a tree, and so right now it’s capturing a LIVE feed of an Eagle sitting on 2 eggs which are expected to hatch at the end of the month!! Enjoy!!!
Stephanie Pickering

slug cat indonesia Slug Caterpillar and Writing Spider Stabilimentum stabilimentum Slug Caterpillar and Writing Spider Stabilimentum

Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for resending with the images. Your Indonesian bug is a Slug Caterpillar in the Family Limacodidae. We have several interesting North American species including the Saddleback Caterpillar and the Stinging Rose Caterpillar. Those spines do contain an irritating chemical that stings. Your spider is some species of Argiope, probably a Silver Argiope, but your photo lacks necessary detail. The zigzag pattern is known as a Stabilimentum and is believed to be a type of camouflage for the spider. These spiders are sometimes called Writing Spiders.