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Realm of the Spider
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The spider species Argiope aurantia is commonly known as the black and yellow garden spider, writing spider, or corn spider. It is common to the contiguous United States, Hawaii, southern Canada, Mexico, and Central America. They have distinctive yellow and black markings on their abdomens and a mostly white cephalothorax. Males range from 5–9 mm (0.20–0.35 in) females from 19–28 mm (0.75–1.1 in). Like other members of Argiope they are considered harmless to humans but the females, in particular, always look a bit ominous.
Garden spiders often build webs in areas adjacent to open sunny fields where they stay concealed and protected from the wind. The spider can also be found along the eaves of houses and outbuildings or in any tall vegetation where they can securely stretch a web. The circular part of the female's web may reach two feet in diameter. Webs are built at elevations from two to eight feet off the ground.
Female Argiope aurantia spiders tend to be somewhat local, often staying in one place throughout much of their lifetime.
The web of the yellow garden spider is distinctive: a circular shape up to 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter, with a dense zigzag of silk, known as a stabilimentum, in the center. The purpose of the stabilimentum is disputed. It is possible that it acts as camouflage for the spider lurking in the web's center, but it may also attract insect prey, or even warn birds of the presence of the otherwise difficult-to-see web. Only those spiders that are active during the day construct stabilimenta in their webs. You can just see the top of this specimen's stabiliments bottom center.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Argiope
Species: A. aurantia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argiope_aurantia |
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Hi Derek, my neighbour :)
Excellent sharpness and details. Amazing colours. Perfect depth of field.
Thanks for sharing,
Maciek
Ciao Derek, great macro of fantastic spider, splendid sharpness and wonderful natural colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
Hello Derek
Amazing spider and beautiful photo with fantastic colors and impressive sharpness.
Regards,
Christodoulos
- lousat
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(65489) - [2012-08-01 2:37]
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Hi Derek,great capture! I like the point of view to have the blue sky in background and the fantastic details everywhere on the spider,from the body to the long legs,great colors and light management too.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 121 W: 0 N: 544]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}