Spiders

Heart Leaved Twayblade [Neottia cordata]. Northeast Pa. 5-1-23. I am always fascinated by spiders seemingly appearing out of nowhere to claim plants as there own, to set trapes to ensnare insects who are lured to plants by color, fragrance and scent with the promise of a sweet reward. The plant does this in hopes that the insect will inadvertently collect pollen from the inflorescence [flower] and pollinate the next flower. But spiders know this and take advantage of these insects and are waiting for a surprise of their own to ensnare these unknowing pollinators. Even on the tiniest of flowers like this Heart leaved Twayblade on the coldest of days, they are there and waiting. It is as if each plant has a spider made for it and is just waiting for it to spring up and they waste no time in setting their trap, a web. Another unique and mysterious relationship in the natural world. How do these individual spiders know just where the plants will appear? but somehow they do know and are always there and patiently waiting.

A beautiful yellow Goldenrod Crab Spider [Misumena vatia] successful hunting a bee on a White Bog Orchid [Platanthera dilatata]. Coos County, N.H. 7-8-22. Notice the pollen on the bees leg.

Goldenrod Crab Spider [Misumena vatia] hunting on White Bog Orchid [Platanthera dilatata]. Coos County, N.H. 7-3-22

Wolf Spider carrying her young [Lycosidae]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-10-22

Unknown spider hunting on Autumn Coralroot orchid [Corallorhiza odontorhiza]. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-11-21

Orchard Spider [Leucauge venusta] hunting on Autumn Coralroot orchid [Corallorhiza odontorhiza]. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-11-21

Unknown spider hunting on Northern Green Bog Orchid [Platanthera aquilomis]. Vermont, 7-5-21

Wolf Spider [Lycosidae] carrying her young.Dauphin County,Pa.10-1-20.

Crab spider on Spotted Jewelweed [Impatiens capensis].Tioga County,Pa.9-16-20

Banded Garden spider [Argiope trifasciata].Tioga County,Pa.9-16-20.Had just caught a grasshopper and was in the process of wrapping it up alive [after receiving a paralyzing bite] for a later meal.

Marbled Orb Weaver [Araneus marmoreus].Dauphin County,Pa.9-12-20

Arrow-shaped Micrathena [Micrathena sagittata].Dauphin County,Pa.9-11-20

Spider repairing his home after the storm.Dauphin County,Pa.9-4-20

Black and Yellow Argiope [Argiope aurantia].Luzerne County,Pa.8-4-20

Spider Webs in dew.Schuylkill County,Pa.9-16-19

Spider Web.Dauphin County,Pa.7-21-19

Spider Web.Dauphin County,Pa.9-16-18

Orchard Orbweaver [Lecauge venusta].Dauphin County,Pa.5-25-18

Marbled Orb Weaver [Araneus marmoreus],caught a Bluejacket Bee [Vespula conobrina].Coos county,N.H.,9-6-16

Marbled Orb Weaver [Araneus marmoreus].Coos county,N.H..9-8-10

Unknown Spider.dauphin county,6-27-14

Black-and-yellow Arigiope [Argiope aurantia].Dauphin county,7-26-10

Unknown Spider on Pink lady's slipper [Cypripedium acaule].Dauphin county,5-19-14

Goldenrod Spider"Flower Spider" [Misumena vatia].Hunting on Grass Pink Orchid [Calopogon Tuberosus].Luzerne county,7-15-12

Unknown spider & his shadow through a leaf.Dauphin county,8-6-16

Unknown spider.Coos county,N.H.9-5-14

Unknown Spider hunting on Ragged Fringed orchid [Platanthera Lacera].Schuylkill county,7-11-16

Unknown spider [hunting] on Bicolor Hybrid Fringed orchid [P.blephariglottis x P.cillaris].Luzerne county,7-31-15

Unknown Spider caught a moth on a White Bog Candle orchid [Platanthera dilatata].Coos county,N.H. 7-4-15

Goldenrod Spider"Flower Spider" [Misumena vatia],hunting on a White Fringed Orchid [Plathenthera blepheriglottis],Caught a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth [Hemaris thysbe].Luzerne county,7-27-11

Unknown spider caught a bee on Grass Pink orchid [Calopogon tuberosus].Tioga county,Pa.,6-11-10

Goldenrod Spider'Flower Spider' [Misumena vatia],on White Fringed orchid[Platanthera blephariglottis].Luzerne county,7-27-11

Wolf Spider [Hogna lenta].Schuylkill county,6-30-13

Unknown Spider caught a beetle on Pad Leaved orchid [Platanthera orbiculata].Schuylkill county,6-19-15