Silver Argiopes: Bug Love and Food Chain

bugman

June 10th, 2007 at 12:00 am

Tags

food chain

Mr. and Mrs. Argiope argentata, and her lunch
Dear Daniel and Lisa,
Here is one image showing the underside of a female Argiope argentata preparing (or maybe eating) a silken-wrapped treat, while her tiny husband looks on from the other side of the web. I wonder when and how he gets to eat? I can also send you the other image, which is from the topside so you can tell what species this is, but unfortunately in that one the focus is on the food, not on the spider! The images were taken on Nevis, West Indies in very early May, 2007 on waste ground near the sea. The orb web was suspended on a large ‘Horse Nettle’ plant, which gave me a few stings while I was getting the pictures. The red marks on my arm still have not completely gone away after more than 4 weeks! Are these spiders dangerous? No, but the plant they are on is!
Best,
Susan

Hi Susan,
Talk about sending us an image that needs to be cross referenced. Not only does it go on Spiders 9, but also Bug Love 5 and Food Chain 3. Thanks for this wonderful documentation of Silver Argiopes.