The Argiope or
garden spider is common in Carolina gardens. The yellow and black coloration
and the zigzag web design are very distinctive.
This spider
feeds on flying insects. Alternatively, I have witnessed a Cardinal swoop and
hover in front of a web, and devour the spider.
Last winter,
I had to rescue a Carolina Chickadee caught in an old spider web. The poor
thing had worn itself out trying to break free. As I pulled on the web strand,
I was amazed at the strength of the material. Ironically, it was a web in the
same bush of the aforementioned devoured spider. Was the spider seeking poetic justice
from the grave?
Predator and Prey
This photo shows the Argiope web with remnants of a Tiger Swallowtail at the bottom of the web.
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