Roger's Spider Stronghold is now open!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_2166637941&feature=iv&list=UUpko_-a4wgz2u_DgDgd9fqA&src_vid=1YVQaAgHyRU&v=cgE3pvY5W6k

http://www.buzzfeed.com/acuvue/12-everyday-moments-youd-never-want-to-miss

That is not one of Roger's spiders. Roger's spiders are nice, shy spiders that furnish quiet company in the shower.

I do like spiders - most spiders - but this one makes me freeze!

Eeek - this is one frightening video clip!

Deadly black widow spiders found in grapes in multiple states
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2512563/Black-widow-spiders-grapes-multiple-states.html

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This is the web of the bowl and doily spider (Frontinella communis). The small spider--not visible--stays on the underside of the bowl and above the flat doily, for protection. When a small insect blunders into the lines supporting the web it falls into the bowl and the spider pulls it through. These spiders are very common in the Southl--at least.

This is the filmy dome spider web, Neriene radiata. It's related to the bowl and doily spider above with a reverse web. Once again the spider stays on the underside of the dome and pulls insects through the web dome.

Thanks Coluber. Tres interesting.

Nature imitates man!

Here is another image of a Mecynogea lemniscata or basilica spider web and it's owner. The whole complex is quite large--1 foot or so wide--and the spider is visible under the dome. Notice the egg cases hung from the line above, the lemniscus. The horizontal line is composed of numerous strands and is very strong. When the spider is ready to abandon the web she cuts the lines below it holding it in tension, and the web springs up. She then wraps the egg cases in the old web and leaves to either build a new complex or die at the end of the season.

Fascinating photograph and great to have your notes on the basilica spider. I am in awe of it - such a tiny creature, but so industrious. Quite beautiful too, in its intricacy and size.

This is Gasteracanthis cancriformis roughly translated as the spiny-abdomen crab-like spider. It's very common in Florida and less so in Texas--I've only seen a couple here. They are quite small-1/4" or so and stay in the center of orb webs.

That's incredible! I've never seen a spider like it. More like a creature from the sea!

No. More like if a spider mated with a radioactive strawberry.

Here is another photo of the same spider - found in a secret location in Florida - quite amazing!

http://tapastic.com/episode/25330