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UltravioletPhotography

Argiope aurantia [Black & Yellow Garden Spider]: Behind Stabilimentum


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Blum, A.G. (2014) Argiope aurantia Lucas (Araneidae) [black & Yellow Garden Spider]. Spider and web photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...-stabilimentum/

 

Huber Woods Park, Middletown, New Jersey, USA

10 September 2014

 

Synonyms:

  • Yellow Garden Spider

Comment:

The thick zigzag in the center of this A. aurantia's circular web is called a stabilimentum. While it is not precisely known for what purpose the stabilimentum is created(3), it is difficult not to think that it serves either as some sort of camouflage or some kind of protection against the sun. The sun was to my back as I made the photo placing the spider on the shady side of the stabilimentum where it was not easily seen. Two other A. aurantia were seen in the park in the same orientation.

In Ultraviolet light the white stabilimentum and web were UV-bright.

 

Reference:

1. Jacobs, S. Jr. (2012) Fact Sheet Yellow Garden Spider. Penn State Extension (Accessed 11 Sept 2014).

There is a nice list of references to Argiope aurantia in this Fact Sheet. Their photo is not good however.

2. Wikipedia (11 Sept 2014) Argiope aurantia. Wikimedia Foundation, San Francisco, CA.

Good photos of A. aurantia are here.

3. Blackledge, T. & Wenzel, J. (1998) Do Stabilimenta in orb webs attract prey or defend spiders? Behavioral Ecology, 10(4), 372-376.

UV studies are mentioned in this paper. A. aurantia is featured in this paper.

 

Equipment [Nikon D600-broadband + Novoflex 35mm f/3.5 Noflexar]

 

The first two photos show an overview of the area where the A. aurantia was seen. Look for the little almost-vertical white stabilimentum in the center of the photo right above the year in the watermark. These two photos may be clicked up to a 1200-pixel width in an expanded browser with no sidebars.

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/50" @ ISO 100 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

The strong vignetting in this photo is from the step rings used to mount the filter.

spideyCamouflageVisSun_091014huberWoodsMdtwnNJ_27101pn.jpg

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1.6" @ ISO 800 in Sunlight with Baader UV-Pass Filter]

The strong vignetting in this photo is from the step rings used to mount the filter.

spideyCamouflageUVBaadSun_091014huberWoodsMdtwnNJ_27109pn.jpg

 

These two photos were cropped from originals made at a closer range. These images may be clicked up to a 1000-pixel width in an expanded browser with no sidebars.

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/200" @ ISO 200 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

spideyCamouflageVisSun_091014huberWoodsMdtwnNJ_27164pnCropRes.jpg

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/2" @ ISO 800 in Sunlight with Baader UV-Pass Filter]

spideyCamouflageUVBaadSun_091014huberWoodsMdtwnNJ_27154pnCropRes.jpg

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