Nothing of significance to report.
With the continued deterioration of the web above, the main web is accumulating a considerable amount of debris. I suspect it is only a matter of time before it, too, begins deteriorating.
My infantile research suggests that I have been observing wolf spiders or garden spiders but neither fully fit the physical appearance. My search for answers continues.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Day 54
Nothing of significance to report.
Temperatures are mild but there is no change in the corner.
In the absence of activity, I will begin researching spiders so as to be more prepared for their return. I hope to eventually discover the species of spider I have been observing in the process.
Temperatures are mild but there is no change in the corner.
In the absence of activity, I will begin researching spiders so as to be more prepared for their return. I hope to eventually discover the species of spider I have been observing in the process.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Day 53
Nothing of significance to report.
There is no sign of activity in the corner. Deterioration has not yet set in to the main web.
I wonder if I will see any of the spiders again before spring. I can only hope so considering how long it took for them to leave.
Conditions
51.3° F and clear
Humidity 19%
Wind5.0 mph SW
Wind gust 0.0 mph
Dew point 10° F
Precipitation 0% chance
Pressure 30.18 in (steady)
(1659 CST 12.12.2012, retrieved from http://www.wunderground.com)
There is no sign of activity in the corner. Deterioration has not yet set in to the main web.
I wonder if I will see any of the spiders again before spring. I can only hope so considering how long it took for them to leave.
Conditions
51.3° F and clear
Humidity 19%
Wind
Wind gust 0.0 mph
Dew point 10° F
Precipitation 0% chance
Pressure 30.18 in (steady)
(1659 CST 12.12.2012, retrieved from http://www.wunderground.com)
Day 52
Nothing of significance to report.
The weather is beginning to warm up but again I was unable to record the specifics. There is no activity in the web but it remains intact. However, the web above is beginning to deteriorate. I suspect it is only a matter of time before it is unable to shield the main web from debris.
The weather is beginning to warm up but again I was unable to record the specifics. There is no activity in the web but it remains intact. However, the web above is beginning to deteriorate. I suspect it is only a matter of time before it is unable to shield the main web from debris.
Day 51
Nothing of significance to report.
Conditions are bitter cold but I was unable to record the specifics. There has been no change in the web and there remains no sign of life in the corner.
Conditions are bitter cold but I was unable to record the specifics. There has been no change in the web and there remains no sign of life in the corner.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Day 50
Nothing of significance to report.
The temperature is only dropping further. It no longer surprises me to see the corner empty of life.
The web above appears to be catching most of the debris from the second floor, thus protecting the main web. I think that is the only reason it has remained in such good condition for so long without anything maintaining it.
Conditions
49.1° F and overcast
Windchill 49° F
Humidity 61%
Wind0.0 mph NE
Wind gust 0.0 mph
Dew point 36° F
Precipitation 0% chance
Pressure 29.95 in (rising)
(1619 CST 12.09.2012, retrieved from http://www.wunderground.com)
The temperature is only dropping further. It no longer surprises me to see the corner empty of life.
The web above appears to be catching most of the debris from the second floor, thus protecting the main web. I think that is the only reason it has remained in such good condition for so long without anything maintaining it.
Conditions
49.1° F and overcast
Windchill 49° F
Humidity 61%
Wind
Wind gust 0.0 mph
Dew point 36° F
Precipitation 0% chance
Pressure 29.95 in (rising)
(1619 CST 12.09.2012, retrieved from http://www.wunderground.com)
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Day 49
Nothing of significance to report.
The web remains empty. There are no signs of spiders. I am anxiously awaiting warmer temperatures to see if the spiders return.
I know insects are at a minimal population (at least visibly) during winter. Does that low food supply drive spiders into hibernation? Though it makes sense, I have never heard of what insects or spiders do during winter.
Conditions
56.0° F and hazy
Humidity 80%
Wind calm
Wind gust 0.0 mph
Dew point 50° F
Precipitation 10% chance
Pressure 29.84 in (falling)
(1635 CST 12.08.2012, retrieved from http://www.wunderground.com)
The web remains empty. There are no signs of spiders. I am anxiously awaiting warmer temperatures to see if the spiders return.
I know insects are at a minimal population (at least visibly) during winter. Does that low food supply drive spiders into hibernation? Though it makes sense, I have never heard of what insects or spiders do during winter.
Conditions
56.0° F and hazy
Humidity 80%
Wind calm
Wind gust 0.0 mph
Dew point 50° F
Precipitation 10% chance
Pressure 29.84 in (falling)
(1635 CST 12.08.2012, retrieved from http://www.wunderground.com)
Friday, December 7, 2012
Day 48
Nothing of significance to report.
The web remains empty. Debris is building up and I suspect it will soon begin deteriorating. There is no sign of spiders anywhere.
Conditions
55.6° F and overcast
Humidity 91%
Wind 0.0 mph
Wind gust 0.0 mph
Dew point 53° F
Precipitation 6% chance
Pressure 29.80 in (rising)
(1644 CST 12.07.2012, retrieved from http://www.wunderground.com)
The web remains empty. Debris is building up and I suspect it will soon begin deteriorating. There is no sign of spiders anywhere.
Conditions
55.6° F and overcast
Humidity 91%
Wind 0.0 mph
Wind gust 0.0 mph
Dew point 53° F
Precipitation 6% chance
Pressure 29.80 in (rising)
(1644 CST 12.07.2012, retrieved from http://www.wunderground.com)
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Day 47
The web remains vacant. I have noticed, however, that all other webs in the area are vacant as well. I can only assume it is due to the cold weather. But where have all the spiders gone? I can understand the need to escape low temperatures but where do they go? If only spiders left footprints so I could track their movements...
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Day 46
The web is vacant. There is no sign of the resident or any disturbance. Even the area below the web, in which I found the spider just yesterday, yields nothing. Could it have been the time of day? Is the resident really gone? How long will it take for the vacancy to be filled? I can only wait and continue my observations.
Day 45
Upon initial observation, there appeared to be two spiders: one in the web and one directly below it. Closer inspection found no spider in the web (I must have mistaken the dessicated remains of a previous resident) but the one below was the spider I have been observing (as far as I can tell).
In an effort to confirm my suspicion, I blew on the spider to prompt it to move (interference I hope to not repeat). This led to the discovery of a feature of the web I had not noticed before (unless it is new). The hole the web leads into is only a recess where the siding of one wall meets the siding of the other and the web is open on the bottom, allowing for ease of movement of the resident.
My suspicion was confirmed, though. The spider is larger. There is no sign of a molted exoskeleton but it may have been removed from the web between observations. The chance remains that a new spider has taken over the web. As no body remains, though, I can neither confirm nor deny such an assumption.
In an effort to confirm my suspicion, I blew on the spider to prompt it to move (interference I hope to not repeat). This led to the discovery of a feature of the web I had not noticed before (unless it is new). The hole the web leads into is only a recess where the siding of one wall meets the siding of the other and the web is open on the bottom, allowing for ease of movement of the resident.
My suspicion was confirmed, though. The spider is larger. There is no sign of a molted exoskeleton but it may have been removed from the web between observations. The chance remains that a new spider has taken over the web. As no body remains, though, I can neither confirm nor deny such an assumption.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Day 44
Nothing of significance to report.
The weather has changed. A cold front has moved in. I wonder if I should be recording the conditions present in my observations. Temperature at the very least must affect a spider's behavior and I am curious of possible patterns. I suppose I have answered my own question.
Though I am unable to get a good look at the resident spider, it appears larger than I remember. I will continue my observations in hopes of confirming or disproving this.
The weather has changed. A cold front has moved in. I wonder if I should be recording the conditions present in my observations. Temperature at the very least must affect a spider's behavior and I am curious of possible patterns. I suppose I have answered my own question.
Though I am unable to get a good look at the resident spider, it appears larger than I remember. I will continue my observations in hopes of confirming or disproving this.
Day 43
Nothing of significance to report.
There are strands of web that I failed to notice before. They reach further from the hole than any other section but they do not appear to themselves be interconnected in any significant matter. I would assume they are for transportation but their periphery nature suggests otherwise. Also, I have never seen any spider go that far from the hole (though obviously they have at some point).
I hope some day to observe a spider working on the web.
There are strands of web that I failed to notice before. They reach further from the hole than any other section but they do not appear to themselves be interconnected in any significant matter. I would assume they are for transportation but their periphery nature suggests otherwise. Also, I have never seen any spider go that far from the hole (though obviously they have at some point).
I hope some day to observe a spider working on the web.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Day 42
Nothing of significance to report.
The new resident (after two days of inactivity in the web, I must assume this is a new resident) is doing well. It remains cautious of the door opening and closing. There is no new construction in the web. I see no evidence of newly ensnared prey but spiders are often vigilant in keeping their webs clean of carcasses so my observations in this matter mean little.
The new resident (after two days of inactivity in the web, I must assume this is a new resident) is doing well. It remains cautious of the door opening and closing. There is no new construction in the web. I see no evidence of newly ensnared prey but spiders are often vigilant in keeping their webs clean of carcasses so my observations in this matter mean little.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Preface and background
Preface
I began informal observations of the web some months ago. It was at first a mere amusement to watch the resident spider dart back into its hole whenever the door was opened but I quickly became enthralled by the series of events that unfolded. I feel I must now share what I have witnessed. While spiders are by most considered pests (at best), I beg a moment of objectivity. There is more happening than most realize and you may be entertained, if not educated, by the results.
Disclaimer
I am no biologist. I am no expert on spiders. I can't even name the species I have observed without extensive use of Google. While I will endeavor to not assume too much, I may still need to be corrected by those with greater knowledge. Please do. Truth is important.
Background
As I said, I began informal observations of the web some months ago. My front door is recessed and covered. There is a light within the recess, mounted to the wall, that is always on at night. It is between my door and that light that the web can be found. It is approximately 13.5 inches from my door and approximately 15 inches below the light.
Judging by the size of the spider I first saw in the web and the number of insects trapped in it, this appears to be the prime territory of the area. There are other webs above and below but none rival the web of my focus. The spiders are all smaller and they are filled more with debris than insects.
The first spider I observed was large. Including its legs, it was approximately 1.5 inches across. It was skittish, retreating into the hole in the wall at the center of the web at the least disturbance. Eventually, though, I noticed it grew bolder. Even opening the door failed to scare it away. Shortly afterward, the spider molted. Its old exoskeleton remained in the web. Not but a few days later, the spider was dead. Had it died from old age? There was no way of telling. There were no signs of violence, though, as the web itself was undisturbed. If it had died of old age, had its boldness stemmed from the condition as well? Had it gotten too tired to hide? Had it developed some arachnid version of dementia? I was only left with questions.
The web remained vacant for two days. Then a new resident arrived. I noticed that the web above had been vacated and I could only assume that the new resident had relocated from there. It dragged the remains of the old resident to the entrance of the hole and the old resident's legs, after days, curled in on the body. I suspect the new resident consumed the old. The shed exoskeleton came to be suspended above the hole like some sort of foreboding citadel gate.
The new resident thrived in the web until a week ago. I returned home to find the web ruined. The dessicated remains of the old resident, as well as its exoskeleton, were damaged. Another observer reported seeing two bodies in the web (in addition to the exoskeleton) but I failed to notice the same. What could have happened? A bird? If so, bodies would not have remained. Could it have been children? The web is too high for them. Had it been the landscapers, blowing leaves from the walkway? I had before witnessed the ruinous effects of such. There remained an abundance of leaf litter, though, so it could not have been them. I was only left speculating and awaiting the next generation of residency.
There was no activity until last night. I know not whether it was the same resident or a new one. The web above is still occupied. Was it that both spiders relocated since last I looked? Had the resident just reemerged? There is no way of telling. This spider is the same size and species. The web is also being rebuilt. It is not what it once was but I have every confidence a few more generations of spiders will return it to its former glory.
And thus we arrive at the current day. I will remain vigilant in my observations and reports.
I began informal observations of the web some months ago. It was at first a mere amusement to watch the resident spider dart back into its hole whenever the door was opened but I quickly became enthralled by the series of events that unfolded. I feel I must now share what I have witnessed. While spiders are by most considered pests (at best), I beg a moment of objectivity. There is more happening than most realize and you may be entertained, if not educated, by the results.
Disclaimer
I am no biologist. I am no expert on spiders. I can't even name the species I have observed without extensive use of Google. While I will endeavor to not assume too much, I may still need to be corrected by those with greater knowledge. Please do. Truth is important.
Background
As I said, I began informal observations of the web some months ago. My front door is recessed and covered. There is a light within the recess, mounted to the wall, that is always on at night. It is between my door and that light that the web can be found. It is approximately 13.5 inches from my door and approximately 15 inches below the light.
Judging by the size of the spider I first saw in the web and the number of insects trapped in it, this appears to be the prime territory of the area. There are other webs above and below but none rival the web of my focus. The spiders are all smaller and they are filled more with debris than insects.
The first spider I observed was large. Including its legs, it was approximately 1.5 inches across. It was skittish, retreating into the hole in the wall at the center of the web at the least disturbance. Eventually, though, I noticed it grew bolder. Even opening the door failed to scare it away. Shortly afterward, the spider molted. Its old exoskeleton remained in the web. Not but a few days later, the spider was dead. Had it died from old age? There was no way of telling. There were no signs of violence, though, as the web itself was undisturbed. If it had died of old age, had its boldness stemmed from the condition as well? Had it gotten too tired to hide? Had it developed some arachnid version of dementia? I was only left with questions.
The web remained vacant for two days. Then a new resident arrived. I noticed that the web above had been vacated and I could only assume that the new resident had relocated from there. It dragged the remains of the old resident to the entrance of the hole and the old resident's legs, after days, curled in on the body. I suspect the new resident consumed the old. The shed exoskeleton came to be suspended above the hole like some sort of foreboding citadel gate.
The new resident thrived in the web until a week ago. I returned home to find the web ruined. The dessicated remains of the old resident, as well as its exoskeleton, were damaged. Another observer reported seeing two bodies in the web (in addition to the exoskeleton) but I failed to notice the same. What could have happened? A bird? If so, bodies would not have remained. Could it have been children? The web is too high for them. Had it been the landscapers, blowing leaves from the walkway? I had before witnessed the ruinous effects of such. There remained an abundance of leaf litter, though, so it could not have been them. I was only left speculating and awaiting the next generation of residency.
There was no activity until last night. I know not whether it was the same resident or a new one. The web above is still occupied. Was it that both spiders relocated since last I looked? Had the resident just reemerged? There is no way of telling. This spider is the same size and species. The web is also being rebuilt. It is not what it once was but I have every confidence a few more generations of spiders will return it to its former glory.
And thus we arrive at the current day. I will remain vigilant in my observations and reports.
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