I have been known to display my love-hate relationship with spiders here on the Refuge. Knowing my ambivalent feelings toward arachnids, on-line droogs have shared photos of a couple of cool orb weavers, the type of spider I like, versus the lycosids which freak me out.
Spider porn below the fold...
First, Spacebee of Texas shares these pictures of a fine Gasteracantha cancriformis (Crab-like orb weaver) specimen. This spider resides in her backyard, having strung up the web between a starfruit and guava tree.
Now why am I reminded of a Dalkon shield?
And the rear-view:
ST of the UK provides the photo below for my squeamish but fascinated entertainment. This is an Araneus sp. chowing down on a damselfly. ST has a pretty serious macro lens on hand. Expect to see her photographs appearing on the Refuge in the future.
I acknowledge that the above is a beautiful critter, but I can't shake the feeling of eight phantom legs and those little pedipalps scuttling over my skin.
Maybe I should get a pet tarantula as aversion therapy.
Many thanks to spacebee and ST for the photos!
Life Science
Comments
Stop it. You're turning me on.
Posted by: Warren | May 16, 2008 2:42 PM
I hope we do see more of ST's photos in the future. The details in the wings of the damselfly are really beautiful.
The orb weaver is mighty freaky.
Posted by: SDC | May 18, 2008 10:07 PM
I hope we do see more of ST's photos in the future.
Count on it. There's a fine example of florotica she just sent which will appear soon. ST's talent, eye for nature and eye-popping macro lens are wonderful finds.
Warren, don't make me do the jumping spider sex dance!
Posted by: Doc Bushwell | May 18, 2008 10:34 PM
While it sounds like you were joking, having one of these spiders has taught me not to be afraid of creepy-crawly things anymore:
http://www.mikescritters.com/critters/arachnids/chaco_golden_kneed_tarantul.jpg
I'll go back to lurking now. I simply enjoy posting pictures of large hairy spiders.
Posted by: Skwee | May 28, 2008 5:26 PM