A Ticklish Dilemma
Spider in Residence
FLORA AND FAUNA AND THE FOREST WORLD
9/1/20262 min read
For some time I have been aware that a spider has taken up residence in our kitchen. Bolder than most, who wisely keep a low profile , this little Harvestman spider, has decided to occupy the corner , alongside the window, in full view. Yesterday, I embarked upon a spot of housework. Armed with a feather duster, I decided that it was about time to end this spider's reign. But I couldn't. On further examination, I noticed how carefully he had stored his prey. Each fly, moth and tiny insect had been wrapped up in silk. There they dangled, just like a modern work of art. A Calder, perhaps? How could I possibly destroy this hard working spider's creation: his personal larder?
I raised my feathers, but then I dropped them again. There was the Harvestman watching me from the top of his web. I confess that he is still there today.
I suppose my love affair with spiders first began when an orb weave spider took up residence outside a bedroom window. Every day we would watch as it spun its beautiful web anew across the window corner . First the spider drops a line that catches the wind and anchors itself on some point. It then drops a new line from the centre, to create a 'Y shape. From that point it goes about creating all the spokes of this web. It is then that the really creative bit begins, as a spiral of sticky thread is woven around these 'spokes'. Such industry! Every evening the old web is ingested and new one is created. Some orb weave spiders wait inside their web. Others lurk close by, watching. They know when something has landed, for they sense the vibrations.
Yesterday , as the afternoon grew cooler, we went to the pool . Before swimming we took the necessary step of trying to save any floating insects , hoping that none had already drowned. After removing a few wasps, and a floating butterfly, which thankfully revived, B. spotted a spider very close to the edge. On rescuing it with a pool cleaner, we were excited at its beauty, for its body and legs were covered in colourful stripes. On further research today, I have learned that there are over 3,000 of the orb weave spider species worldwide. Furthermore, on reading a description of them, I have learned that they have round abdomens and that these often bear colourful bands to deter their prey. They also have long, often banded legs. Surely, that is what we saved from drowning. Until then, I had never known how beautiful these orb weave spiders could be. I hope you agree with me. How could anyone wish to kill them?
