Bee Lunch
This Golden silk orb-weaver has got himself a bee and is wrapping him up for lunch.
| The golden silk orb-weavers (genus Nephila) are a genus of spiders noted for the impressive webs they weave. Nephila consists of numerous individual species found around the world. They are also commonly called golden orb-weavers, giant wood spiders or banana spiders. |  |
In North America, the golden silk orb-weavers are sometimes referred to as writing spiders due to occasional zigzag patterns (stabilimenta) built into their webs. The name of the golden silk orb-weavers refers to the color of the spider silk, not the color of the spider itself.
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Yellow threads of their web shine like gold in sunlight. Xanthurenic acid, two quinones and an unknown fourth compound contribute to the yellow color. |
Experimental evidence suggests that the silk’s color may serve a dual purpose: sunlit webs ensnare bees that are attracted to the bright yellow strands, whereas in shady spots the yellow blends in with background foliage to act as a camouflage.
| The spider is able to adjust pigment intensity relative to background light levels and color; the range of spectral reflectance is specifically adapted to insect vision. |  |
The venom of the golden silk orb-weaver is potent, but not lethal to humans. Its venom is a neurotoxin similar to that of the black widow spider; however, its venom is not nearly as powerful. Its bite causes local pain, redness, and blisters, but these symptoms usually disappear within a day (though the bite mark may leave a scar).
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This image was captured in Marathon, Florida using a
Canon 450D with an EFS 55-250mm lens
Focal Length 250mm
Exposure Time 1/80s
Aperture F5.6
ISO-400
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