May 24, 2024

I am a Leucauge argyra

I have iridescent silvery-white stripes 

This color is due to guanine crystals

Which, like fish scales reflect the light.

Location: My house

Sources: https://phys.org/news/2009-12-sparkly-spiders-photonic-fish.html

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

November 25, 2023

I am known as a Leucauge argyra

Enlarge my picture to see my spinneret

It is where my silk comes from which I use

To wrap prey and to build my web.

Location: TM Goodwin WMA, Broadmoor Unit

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/MISC/SPIDERS/Leucauge-argyrobapta.html

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 3, 2023

I am a Leucauge argyra

But my color is not quite right

I normally appear much darker

But I just molted, so my color is light.

For more spidery goodness, check out the second edition of my Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders which is now available for purchase !

Location: Titusville Field Station, Titusville

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/2260186

https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/2023/08/august-27-2023.html

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 27, 2023

I am a Leucauge argyra

I'm in the family of Longjawed Orbweavers

I kill my prey then liquify their insides

I'm an insect drinker, not an insect eater.

Location: Private residence, Sebastian

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/MISC/SPIDERS/Leucauge-argyrobapta.html

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 21, 2021

I am a Leucauge argyra

On the top I am black and yellow

I don't have orange spots like Leucauge argyrobapta

My coloring's just a tad more mellow.

Location: Jungle Trail, Vero

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/MISC/SPIDERS/Leucauge-argyrobapta.html

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 11, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, my house

I am a Leucauge argyra,
Eating lunch? For me it's no issue.
Into my web, my prey climbs,
I inject it with digestive enzymes,
Then drink up my prey's liquified tissue!

Note: Make sure you click to enlarge this one, you can see her spinnerets on her butt!

Sources: UF | IFAS Featured Creatures Orchard Orbweavers

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 5, 2019

Location: Windy Point Boat Ramp Park, Lake Placid

I am a Leucauge argyra
Orchard Orbweaver is my common name
My genus name translates to "with a bright gleam"
And I won't hurt you, despite what anyone claims.

(Like all spiders, the Orchard Orbweaver has venom, but it is not medically significant to humans.)

Sources: UF | IFAS Featured Creatures - Orchard orbweavers 

Photo and text © 2019 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 5, 2018

Location: Location

I am a Leucauge argyra
In Florida I'm quite common.
I build my nest in yards and Mangroves
And just wait for the bugs to drop in.

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 23, 2018

Location: Fellsmere, my house

I am a Leucauge argyra,
This time, I'm shown from above.
It's been observed that sometimes I mate and then,
Trap and devour my love.

Sources: Sexual behavior, cannibalism, and mating plugs as sticky traps in the orb weaver spider Leucauge argyra 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 22, 2018

Location: Fellsmere, my house

I am a Leucauge argyra,
Shown here from the underside
Compare me to yesterday's spider,
On my abdomen, there is no bowtie.

Sources: Common Spiders of North America, Richard A. Bradley

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson