garden spider dinner

common names - yellow garden spider or writing spider . . . argiope aurantia . . . called a writing spider due to the vertical zigzag webbing in the center of the web, although most i have seen have appeared to be entirely illegible with the exception of the word MMM

in this series, the hapless victim (grasshopper) had just landed on the web . . . immediately the female spider bites the insect and uses a combination of new and existing web to ensnare her prey . . . in the first two photos, she is using a fine "spray" of web for total coverage of the prey . . . the next two show how after initial coverage, she switches to a thicker binding stream of silk to further prevent movement . . . next to last photo - she is securing her "bundle" to the main web . . . and last photo shows her waiting patiently for her meal to liquify for drinking



a big "thank you" for adding my photos to your favorites or collections . . . i will reply to comments, but i am no longer able to acknowledge every . . . thanks so much for your support and understanding