Some people consider spiders creepy....I don't particularly want them populating in my house....that would mean I must have bugs in the house...but I do try to encourage them outside, so I don't blanket my garden with pesticides or chemicals.
October, it seems, is green lynx spider maternity month in Florida. I have many of these gals on the plants in my garden, including the bidens alba, solidago (goldenrod), wax myrtles and dog fennel all with nests in various stages of production. There are fascinating "quick facts" about these pretty arachnids over at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-48_green_lynx_spider.htm
Today, the sac on the beautyberry successfully came to life.....mucho life. How many will survive is an unknown, but I saw the lizards close by and I'm sure the birds are preparing for the feast as well. Wasps, other spiders and praying mantids all partake. Since it is the return time for lots of migratory birds from the north, I'm glad I provided a habitat for the spiders that will feed them.
4 comments:
I'm glad I discovered your blog this morning, I'm a Biology student and we just learned all about native plants (Beauty berry being one of them). I had no idea that the spiders would like to nest in this plant! I am considering adding a Beauty berry plant to my backyard where I am encouraging wildlife nesting.
Thanks for your comment and Great plant choice for Wildlife, Vicki! You can read more on this wonderful Florida native at the fnps.org blogger website http://fnpsblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/american-beautyberry-purple-now.html
I just noticed today that the mom spider made a second sac in the same beautyberry shrub, just a couple of leaves over, so I await more spiderlings! Another good native plant choice for wildlife nesting is wax myrtle/bayberry (myrica sp.) I had mockingbirds build nests and the female shrubs provide excellent food in the form of blue berries which all the birds come to nosh on. Birds love the cover of this understory native!
That is a great find. Your post makes me ready for spring and all of the tiny life waking up.
Thanks for stopping by Karyl! December freeze really did in the vegetation here in FL and I'm grateful things are beginning to wake up so I can give the northerners hope that their spring is close too!
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