- Joined
- Dec 18, 2007
- Messages
- 818
Does anyone have any advice on keeping Argiopes (orb weavers/writing spiders)? I have been seeing several large females everywhere around the house and am thinking about catching one.
Yea, it really is a shame. I look forward to watching/feeding these every summer. But it seems like no sooner that I find them, then they end up dying or mysteriously disappearing with only a ragged looking web left behind. I am assuming something is killing them (birds, praying mantis, wasps, etc.) When they are on my property though, they are under my protection and any creature I actually catch eating/attacking them, pays with their lives.Yes they are short lived. The females are getting ready if they have not already to lay their eggs, and then they die. It is such a shame too cause they are beautiful.
We had lots of Argiopes in the yard this year. The kids fell in love with one of them and named her Cleo. They spent more time talking and watching Cleo than they did with their regular pets.A twenty high works pretty good for argiope I have found...use a screen top and a u shaped stick to attach the web to...a low wattage bulb is necessary as these guys do bask a lot.....a light morning misting does them wonders...the adult females can produce many many sacs over the winter period....not as hard to keep alive and well as most folk think
I heard that as well about tropical Argiope sp., but supposedly in non-tropical climates where the first frost kills off the female, that if taken indoors and kept in captivity these species can live just as long in some cases. Other sources say just a year, two at the most is rare.Now in this one children's book about garden spiders I have, it states that argiopes in warmer/tropical climates can live for several years, as long as they aren't killed by frosts and cold winters. Is that true or do all argiopes, regardless of where they live, only live for less than one year?
Jack
I brought one inside when it started to get chilly. She set up housekeeping among the plants of a south facing window. I throw her a grasshopper or caterpillar every couple days. Thus far she hasn't moved from that spot ( no Argiope on my face yet )I heard that as well about tropical Argiope sp., but supposedly in non-tropical climates where the first frost kills off the female, that if taken indoors and kept in captivity these species can live just as long in some cases. Other sources say just a year, two at the most is rare.
I think it is a matter of trying to keep something indoors that webs such a large web. Not very many people feel comfortable with a big yellow spider living free range inside their home. I love spiders but I sure as hell would not want to wake up to an Argiope on my face lol