Saturday, October 17, 2009

Wasp spiders (Jodie Randall)




Wasp spiders (Argiope bruennichi) were first recorded in Britain in the early 1920s. Today the spider's range has expanded and they can now be found all along the South coast of England. They are rapidly moving inland, having already colonised London and are spreading further North.

The spiders mature into adults in late Summer. At this time the females build their webs. The female spiders exhibit bold black and yellow stripes, but despite their striking appearance the are not venemous to humans. The body of the female can measure up to 2cm in length, while the male is much smaller at only 0.5cm.

This year I was lucky enough to discover a terrific location teeming with wasp spiders. Searching the fields and banks at my riverside spot, the tall rippling grasses mimicked the river's crashing waves in the fierce coastal wind. The black and gold bodies of the wasp spiders swayed violently backwards and forwards on their webs and I found myself wondering if they felt at all sea sick.

One spider became a victim of the strong wind as her delicate web, built among the tendrils of a blackberry bush, broke. I watched in admiration as despite the conditions she began to rebuild her intricate web all over again.
www.jodierandall.co.uk

2 comments:

Unknown said...

ninest123 12.21
sac burberry, converse pas cher, air max, michael kors outlet, air max, north face, nike huaraches, new balance pas cher, nike tn, nike free pas cher, louboutin, nike blazer, michael kors, sac longchamp pas cher, sac guess, longchamp, abercrombie and fitch, timberland, hogan outlet, nike free, michael kors pas cher, mulberry, ralph lauren, true religion outlet, true religion jeans, true religion jeans, oakley pas cher, nike trainers, lululemon outlet online, air jordan, polo lacoste, true religion outlet, nike air force, nike air max, ray ban pas cher, hollister, vans pas cher, longchamp, north face, replica handbags, nike roshe, coach outlet store online, michael kors uk, air max pas cher, coach purses, polo ralph lauren, hollister, vanessa bruno, nike roshe run pas cher, ray ban sunglasses

Unknown said...

oakley sunglasses, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton, michael kors outlet, ugg boots clearance, tiffany and co, chanel handbags, ugg outlet, nike shoes, gucci outlet, oakley sunglasses cheap, air max, louboutin, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet, longchamp handbags, michael kors outlet online sale, rolex watches, prada handbags, louis vuitton outlet, michael kors outlet, prada outlet, cheap uggs, louboutin outlet, louis vuitton outlet, jordan shoes, cheap oakley sunglasses, christian louboutin, ray ban sunglasses, burberry outlet, uggs, tory burch outlet, ray ban sunglasses, replica watches, longchamp handbags, tiffany and co, polo ralph lauren, polo ralph lauren outlet, burberry outlet, air max, louboutin shoes, ray ban sunglasses, louis vuitton outlet stores, oakley sunglasses, nike free, louis vuitton handbags, uggs outlet, longchamp outlet, michael kors outlet