Sometimes, nature calls to question one’s initial reflexes. When first noticing unexpected movement in peripheral, more primitive vision, such as little specks crawling on a porch railing, the automatic response is visceral and the sensation of it on the skin is irrepressible. But upon taking a second look, and leaning in for closer observation, each is in fact a delicate newborn. Bright yellow with a central sharp black spot and tiny spiny little spicules for legs, hundreds of babies as tiny as lizard eyes move along (the very meaning of) gossamer threads seeking their purpose and meaning in the world. These orb-weaver spiderlings are seeing the world up close for the first time. Members of the true spider family Araneidae, they see using eight eyes arranged in rows as a central four with another pair on each side. More precisely, these are members of the most common orb-weaver species found around the Salish Sea, Araneus diadematus, commonly called the garden orb weaver or cross orb weaver.

Here’s a short video of the spiderlings freshly hatched:

video by Adria Magrath (no audio)

This is near Spring Equinox, when the sun warms those who have waited all winter long for a chance to live fully. This is why these spiderlings have now hatched from a hairy olive egg sac made by their mother the previous fall. She is long gone now, unable to take care of her offspring. Therefore, these newborns aim to disperse into the landscape, following instructions fine-tuned since the Cretaceous period — 30 times longer than any human species has walked on earth.

‘Ballooning’ is the term used to describe how these young ‘launch off’ soon after hatching. It is carried out by climbing high, standing on tiptoe with their butt pointed in the air, and floating up and away on minuscule strands at the mercy of air currents and electrical static in the atmosphere. They could not do better if they were at a hot air balloon festival. Some will attain great heights and distance while most will stay close.

‘R-selection’ is a label given to a biological method of reproduction that invests not in the caretaking of offspring but instead on producing large numbers of early-to-mature young who will grow rapidly and experience a high probability of mortality. Many plants and animals such as the octopus, chorus frog, salmon, dandelion, fir tree, and butterfly employ this time-honored method of reproduction. It can also be an efficient method for increasing the population if conditions are right.

Many of these Orb-weaver spiderlings will become high quality snacks for insectivorous birds, or something else, like a dragonfly, directly connecting to and supporting other forms of life. Considering that recent reports claim North America has lost 1 in 4 birds across the continent in just one lifetime, these spiderlings become valuable and their deaths serve an important ecological role.

That human reflex towards fear is strong, particularly when a web is felt unexpectedly by the face and not seen. The sensation of sticky threads and the not-knowing-where-it-is can send even the ‘manliest’ into a fit of panic. While Nature has gifted the human animal with more ‘advanced’ cognitive powers, it can still be ruled by reflex more than mind. Mindfulness is not always easy, but people are provided myriad opportunities to reframe what they are given. Each autumn when the spiral wheels appear in the landscape and on the porch with pendulous bodies hanging head down, we would do well to remember the benefits, not harm, and recognize the seasonal cycles of joyous ancient threads that connect spiderlings to the air, to birds, and to people. Maybe, if you are lucky, you’ll even get to watch their babies ‘balloon’ away on the next spring breeze.

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT

SALISH MAGAZINE

Salish Magazine contains no advertising and is free. Your donation is one big way you can help us inspire people with stories about things that they can see outdoors in our Salish Sea region.

We also don't advertise Salish Magazine, so please spread the word of this online resource to your friends and colleagues.

Thanks so much for your interest and your support. 

 We also don't advertise Salish Magazine, so please spread the word of this online resource to your friends and colleagues.

Thanks so much for your interest and your support.