Check out what farmer Brown gave me! (Argiope)

[Malhavoc's]

lol. terri. I wasn't insulting you you did rather good for a temp enclosure and I thought I saw a full grown one in there?? besides! she produced a most likealy vialbe fertile egg sac! I think thats alot better then a full grown female that would probably die in a few seasons.

 

[Malhavoc's]

BTW you never did call me on friday

 

[WayneT]

Look at this...I come home tonite and she left another surprise! This is her fourth one!

 

[Malhavoc's]

Does she have a nice orb web going on?

 

[WayneT]

Does she have a nice orb web going on?

Yes and no...there are the beginnings of the orb where she's sitting in that picture, then a mass of criss-cross webbing at the top of the enclosure. I placed that twig where I did so she wouldn't anchor to the lid.

 

[xanadu1015]

Mine laid a second large egg sac after I transferred her to a larger enclosure. It took her a bit to finally make a web, but she made one spanning the entire enclosure. Also, she'll actually take crickets from my fingers, really really cool experience I must say. She's getting to where she's not afraid of me anymore and doesn't run away. I was thinking of just keeping her with her egg sacs and let them hatch. I don't mind taking care of them. With all the other spiders I've caught that have been cultivating egg sacs, I'm getting used to it. My mom (cricket54) came up with an interesting theory. Everytime I catch a female spider, she always ends up laying an egg sac as soon as I get her settled in an enclosure. My mom came up with the theory that the spider must figure she's safe and comfortable so its the proper time to lay an egg sac. I don't know if this is true or not since I can't read a spider's mind, but its interesting, no?


Laura

 

[WayneT]

Laura, I don't see why not! It probably sounds crazy, but I think animals, even spiders, can sense something about us spider-lovers...maybe I'm nuts! Have you Laura, or anyone for that matter, taken these eggsacs to hatching? If so, what sort of preparations should I be making? Will I need to seperate them all or what? Thanks!

 

[Malhavoc's]

You will need to seperate them once they start feeding. which is going to be a hassel because even as spiderlings they make ENOURMus webs.. I've found spiderlings with webs as big as adults...And they will cannabilize.

Also as for them laying sacs after you capture them you put htem at a steady temputure which will incrase their metabolism. or at least steady it, also you feed them more then they would in the wild so his ups their metabolism=sac faster but your right in on thing, they only lay a sac when their comfy it will survive.. weather they do or not.. in terri's case.

 

[WayneT]

Thanks Draken! I'm seeing this as a huge undertaking...but I'd definately like to give it a go. I've done some reading on these...now this time of year is when they make their eggsacs, and fall/winter is rapidly approaching. Do these little ones hatch before the first freeze, and if so, where do they spend the winter months? :?

 

[Malhavoc's]

I -believe- they hatch after the last frost so they may feed on al lthe young insects I dont think they will hatch till spring as I have not seen it happen. place them near a widnow during the winter so they can get the 'cold' seasons then let htem warm with spring and they should hatch

 

[WayneT]

I -believe- they hatch after the last frost so they may feed on al lthe young insects I dont think they will hatch till spring as I have not seen it happen. place them near a widnow during the winter so they can get the 'cold' seasons then let htem warm with spring and they should hatch

That's what I was guessing...and because of the fact they're indoors, I would imagine that to be accelerated with the warm. I will do as you suggest and place them in a cooler area during the winter. You've been alot of help, my friend!

 

[Malhavoc's]

Glad to hear it, now if I was only able to get my communal scorps going lol
BTW you could try leaving one of the sacs in a warm area and see how long it takes them to hatch, if they do. without the cold season.

 

[WayneT]

Glad to hear it, now if I was only able to get my communal scorps going lol
BTW you could try leaving one of the sacs in a warm area and see how long it takes them to hatch, if they do. without the cold season.

Great idea! I have four of them to work with...cool, I'll let you know!

 

[Malhavoc's]

Hmm four huh? take two from her, one to put near a widnow, one to leave at room temp or a higher temp, and leave the other two with her until you figureo ut another experiment to do with the extra, [four methods of hatching] then record which is the most successful, hatches faster. ECT. Will do great wonders for the others that ask about argiopes

 

[WayneT]

Consider it done! After reading this I found some different areas is which to do this. What about one placed in the outdoors? Secure of course.

 

[Malhavoc's]

I believe the Mother would Lay the egg sac in a place safe from: predation,rain,wind [or as wind secure as possible] and snow. I Also beleive that dead leaves would occasionly worked into the sorrounding web [from what I remember of fidning their eggsacs during winter in canada ] they would typicaly be located 2-5 feet from the ground if that helps any aswell

 

[WayneT]

I believe the Mother would Lay the egg sac in a place safe from: predation,rain,wind [or as wind secure as possible] and snow. I Also beleive that dead leaves would occasionly worked into the sorrounding web [from what I remember of fidning their eggsacs during winter in canada ] they would typicaly be located 2-5 feet from the ground if that helps any aswell

It sure does Draken! You've been a huge help with my questions, thanks again! I owe you one...how about some Okie scorps?

 

[Malhavoc's]

You owe me nothing.. I just remember all that from the days of bug hutning at reces during school...btw for anyoen wondering a praying mantis can whoop an arigropes arse when out of the web but fails while in the web.. lol

But I'll take the scorps al lthe same

 

[MizM]

But I'll take the scorps al lthe same

Where will you put them? I'm not going to babysit ANYMORE CREATURES... including YOU!!!

 

[Malhavoc's]

lol their going in the nice lil box I stole from you, or some of the other 'empy' enclosures I have, you'd be surpised terri I got jars and nick nacks coming outa the wazoo [such a 'oo thats a good bug jar' pack rat I am. I make enclosures outa everything remember the lickrish box I brought over to yoru house to make the enclosureo uta and you stole for your h mac btw I got some awesome stuff to take the goo off the side if you still have it. not to mention their comming with me to canada [if he sends em in time] I made a bet with my dad, all the inverts I can get hoem he will buy glass aquiruems for... and I allready know I can get them accross...