Bill Dunson offers an interesting question about a spider that occurs throughout the Atlantic States, but is often overlooked:
I have been noticing a small but brightly colored spider, the orchard orbweaver (Leucauge venusta) in my rambles at Wildflower Preserve in Charlotte County, FL.
I have not been able to discover the function of the striking colors of this tiny and relatively unknown spider. If it were larger I am sure it would be well known and often photographed.
Does anyone have ideas about the purpose of such a striking coloration? The bright red colors are reminiscent of the dangerous black widow and I am thus wondering about what will happen when I by mistake walk through the web of this tiny beauty and find one on my face. For a small day-active orbweaver which is so exposed to predation by birds, such bright colors must mean something. Or could it be that it is so small (body 5.5-7.5 mm) that predators disdain to bother with it?
Bill Dunson
Englewood, FL
Galax, VA
I have been noticing a small but brightly colored spider, the orchard orbweaver (Leucauge venusta) in my rambles at Wildflower Preserve in Charlotte County, FL.I have not been able to discover the function of the striking colors of this tiny and relatively unknown spider. If it were larger I am sure it would be well known and often photographed.
Does anyone have ideas about the purpose of such a striking coloration? The bright red colors are reminiscent of the dangerous black widow and I am thus wondering about what will happen when I by mistake walk through the web of this tiny beauty and find one on my face. For a small day-active orbweaver which is so exposed to predation by birds, such bright colors must mean something. Or could it be that it is so small (body 5.5-7.5 mm) that predators disdain to bother with it?Bill Dunson
Englewood, FL
Galax, VA
