The kids and I found a Golden Garden Spider in the back yard today, next to the deck stairs. She is very large and her web is several feet across. We looked around online and learned that she will probably be making an egg sac soon, so we are going to be checking in to see if we can catch any of the action.
We also learned that this spider is also called a Writing Spider, because of the zigzag pattern down the center of the web- which might be for strength, camouflage, or to attract insects. They eat lots of garden pests and are a wonderful ally in the garden. They are not poisonous to humans, although they could bite if someone really messed with them, which would result in minor discomfort and redness to the area.
We have been trying to look up every new bug or critter we come across in the yard, so that we will be able to identify them by name when we see them again. It is always good to know whether an insect or spider can be potentially harmful too, so everyone will know which ones to avoid.
A couple of interesting pages we came across today:
Argiope aurantia (Yellow Garden Spider) on Wikipedia
another Argiope aurantia page, with a photo of an egg sac
Arachnology (the study of spiders) on Wikipedia
We love learning this way too. My girls are currently "growing" a Rusty Tussock moth and a Garden Tiger moth because we found the caterpillars. That's a good size weaver you've got there. And I agree, learning more about insects is better than just instinctively crushing them (unless it's a cockroach- in which case you just let the wolf spider have at them if you're patient enough to wait around for them... I'm not.)
ReplyDeletewe had a similar unschooling experience this week, too - only the enormous spider had built her web in the back of the minivan right next to my 5 year-old's carseat - and she discovered it (loudly!) while going down the interstate!
ReplyDeletei would have killed it & not even thought about looking up info on the computer! ha i hate spiders!!! yuck!
ReplyDeleteWe just read the Spinning Spiders, Let's Read and find out Science Book, and that is one fantasitc looking spider and a marvelous orb web. Is she a garden spider? I love her zig zag stitch! A little reinforcement for the center? Pretty neat!
ReplyDeleteWe have a ton of Writing Spiders at our house!!!
ReplyDeletethese are one of my favorite spiders. we have one of these moments yesterday! we found a baby ringneck snake and I am allowing the kids to keep it for a couple of days.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful spider.
ReplyDeletecharlotte!
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