Cyclosa conica
about 6 mm
Now, I would have called this this the "Rorschach Orb Weaver" because I think the design on
the female looks like an ink blot test.
I was just saying to a friend yesterday that I needed to find me a new species of spider. Little did I know that my trip to
Weber County today would fulfill my wish. I not only found a new species for me, but that species was one I have been
waiting years to find--the Trashline Orb Weaver. I knew what it was the minute I saw it. © Carol Davis, 7-4-2010
These little spiders not only spin an orb web but also decorate that web with what is called a vertical stabilimentum.
That's the vertical webbing you see in these photos. They will take debris and egg sacs (and sometimes prey) and
stash them in this center line of the web and at times it becomes quite "trashy", hence the nickname of Trashline
Orb Weaver. The female I found today had not stashed anything in there yet. If you go to this site and scroll
down a ways you will see an interesting stash of debris in a Cyclosa's web. © Carol Davis, 7-4-2010
This shot shows how the orb weaver spins a large web and the stabilimentum takes up only a small part in the
central area of the web. I accidentally brushed the web as I was photographing and the spider started shaking
wildly. I found out it's their way of protecting themselves from predators. I guess if they can't see the spider
clearly, they can't nab them easily. You can read more about this spider and the stabilimentum
at Green Nature. © Carol Davis, 7-4-2010
Home - Arachnids of Utah
Other Home - Amazing Nature