I was a little surprised to find adult Golden Silk Orb Weaver Spiders during one of my walks this week. I don't usually start seeing them until the middle of May. I suspect the unusually warm April we had here supercharged the youngsters and accelerated their growth. But I found a happy couple going about the business of making little spiders...
The Daily Bucket is a regular series from the Backyard Science group. Here we talk about Mother Nature in all her glory, especially the parts that live nearby. So let us know (as close as you are comfortable) where you are and what's going on around you. What's the weather like? Seen any interesting plants, bugs or critters? Are there birds at your feeders? Deer, foxes or peahens in your yard? Seen any cool rocks or geological features? Post your observations and notes here. And photos. We like lots of photos. :)
The female Golden Silk Orb Weaver Spider is one of the largest spiders in Florida. Here she is on her web.
Above her on the same web is the male, who is less than one-fifth her size.
Some webs have as many as three or four males living with the female, but this web only has one.
He makes his move....
And climbs onto the female.
The male places himself under the female's abdomen...
And moves into position.
So how do spiders "do it"..? Well. the male has little appendages at his front end called "pedipalps". Before he goes courting, he places a drop of sperm into each pedipalp. When he climbs onto the female, he inserts his pedipalps one at a time into her genital opening.
With the deed done, he moves away.
In many species, the female eats the male after mating, but in Golden Silk Orb Weavers, the males can mate continuously throughout the summer.
The female stores the sperm in her body, and in the fall will make an eggsac with dozens of eggs, which will overwinter and hatch in the spring.
And now it is your turn. Seen any spiderlings lately? :)