Look Ma! No bugs!

Actually, Mom happens to like bugs or at least she will co-exist with them. Just a few simple rules: 1) Bugs must share, don’t be stingy and eat ALL of her plants. 2) Outside guests are generally welcome while inside guests take their life into their own hands.

One of this season’s guests are spiders… and plenty of them. Let me introduce you to the Spiny Orb Weaver.


Spiny Orb Weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis)
Upper Gulf Coast (Click any image for larger view)

Sometimes called crab spiders, obviously due to their body shape. I also think their scientific name makes reference to the zodiac sign of Cancer.

Most spiders make for excellent guests, mainly because they dine upon many other unpleasant guests. Unfortunately, these guys set up house in the busiest corridor of the yard and their webs subsequently had to be moved aside on occasion.

A special characteristic of this busy little spider is that it will rebuild a web each and every evening… much to Mom’s dismay. Finally, she gently relocated every web she could to the back corner of the yard and here they are making themselves perfectly at home once more.

Even though nature always has a reason, the web of the Spiny Orb Weaver seems awfully large for a spider smaller than a dime. The following images were made while exploring the Sam Houston National Forest near the Stubblefield Recreation Area.


Piney Woods Region


Reflecting in the light of the evening sun, you could see webs by the dozen throughout the woods. I am sure these spiders have enjoyed the antics of many a hiker or biker indulging in what I call the “spider web dance”. More information on this bizarre human ritual in a future post.