Garden Spiders are orb weavers and are known for their intricate orb-shaped webs. The weaving of the spider’s web is a complex process. The support lines are constructed first, and then the radial lines and finally the spiraling strands are spun from the center of the web outward. Garden Spiders have 3-4 pair of glands called spinnerets and each one produces different textures of silk. Some even produce an ultraviolet silk to attract insects. Even the youngest just-hatched spider can spin silk and weave a web. Spiders belong to a class of Arachnida which was named after Arachne, a maiden in Greek mythology. She defeated the goddess Athena in a weaving contest and Athena was so angry that she destroyed Arachne’s weaving and begin to hit and beat her. Arachne was so disgraced that she hung herself. Athena regretted what she had done and changed Arachne into a spider so she could weave forever. Spiders are very beneficial to our gardens and our ecosystems. Each year spiders eat tons of disease carrying and crop destroying insects. They are the most important predator of insects in our world. |
