Incy Wincy

[gemfyre]

This orb weaver has been spinning her web across our driveway for quite a while now. I often find myself driving straight through the web before I realise it's there. A few nights ago we noticed the web had been built off to the side - maybe she was learning. But last night it was slap bang in the middle of the driveway again, so I took a few photos.



I actually DID get the web, on the camera screen it looked like the web wouldn't show.





This is how her topside looks. All the photos I took of her other side were blurry, but it has pretty stripes all over. She is HUGE, a good 8cm from top to bottom.

Here's a shot to get some perspective of her size.

Comments

[morninglord.livejournal.com]

Daddy long legs arent classed as spiders, theyre classed as insects, cos their front two legs arent legs at all but feelers.
Or so I hear.
Daddy long legs have the MOST venomous poison in the entire world of any spider.
Daddy long legs have jaws so small, they cannot pierce the skin, or even make a dent on it. It would be like you trying to knaw on tank armor.
Or so I hear.
*looks at the animal specialist to confirm this*

Re:

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

I'll agree with you about the venomn thing. I don't have any good references but it's what I've heard too.

Daddy Long Legs aren't spiders but they aren't insects either. They are still chelicerates(arachnids) along with spiders, scorpions and psuedoscorpions.

[morninglord.livejournal.com]

There you go.

[leemur.livejournal.com]

I was under the impression that there were two different creatures : 'Daddy Long Legs' and "Daddy Long Legs spiders"

Something I read as a kid.

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdaddy.html

Re:

[lidian.livejournal.com]

Hmm ... well, all I know is that they're freaky. LOL

I was told by a park ranger that they was the 2nd most poisonous ... but then again ... I didn't listen very well. I tried to find the exhibit on it ... but since I didn't listen very well ... I didn't know where it was. *chuckles*

But yeah, you're right. They can't pierce the skin ... but any open wound ... they can have a field day with! But I didn't know they wasn't classified as un-spiders. That's really neat. Thanks for the trivial knowledge!