July 7th, 2006
mothers on guard duty
Yesterday, while making the insect rounds in the gardens, I found this Oblong Running Crab Spider (Tibellus oblongus) resting quietly on a leaf in the herb garden. These spiders are extremely shy and not at all confrontational. When approached, they quickly move sideways to the underside of a leaf. They can do this so quickly that it’s almost like magic. Under normal circumstances, it’s actually rather difficult to get a good look at one of these spiders because they will keep moving the the opposite side of the leaf each time you flip it. However, when you find one bravely holding its ground, you can be pretty sure that she’s protecting an egg case. So, I approached this spider to take a look.
Sure enough, she was sitting tight on the upper side of a leaf with her egg case fastened to the underside with network of silk. As you can see from the above photo, she is really hunkered down. Despite my approach to shoot a couple of photos, she did not move from her protective position. If anything, she curled her legs more tightly about the leaf and looked like she was there to stay. Knowing the usual behaviour of these spiders, her instinct to protect must be very strong in order to override her desire to hide.
And here’s an update on the (probable) Xysticus emertoni Crab Spider that I reported on back on June 20th. Seventeen days later, she’s still guarding her egg case inside a small refuge constructed of rugosa rose leaves. Her abdomen is looking quite caved in now, and she seemed so torpid that, at first, I thought she might be dead. However, she became active when I disturbed the leaves around the refuge. She moved to cover the egg case with her body, wrapping her legs around it protectively, and then held her ground while I shot a couple of photos.
Note: I was hoping to see the spiderlings when they emerge from the egg case, but it looks like things won’t work out that way. If all goes according to plan, we’ll be off to Nova Scotia in the morning. However, I may try to have the person who is staying here check on the spider and let me know what happens over the next few days. How do you like these instructions? “Please check on spider in rose bush each day.”
By the way, I hope to continue posting fairly regularly if I can get my laptop working with the wireless connection where we’ll be staying. We’ll be spending most of our time hiking and photographing nature, so will (hopefully) have some interesting dispatches on nature sightings in Nova Scotia!
Tags: Tibellus oblongus, Oblong Running Crab Spider, Xysticus emertoni, Crab Spider, maternal spiders
July 7th, 2006 at 7:51 pm
I’ve enjoyed watching our little flower crab spiders, who aren’t nearly so shy as that oblong. And the poor old Xysticus. I am reminded of Charlotte!
Have fun in Nova Scotia! How long will you be gone?
July 7th, 2006 at 8:03 pm
Wayne - We have a couple of Goldenrod spiders in the roses that are quite bold when approached. I got some nice photos of them yesterday. I’ll try to post them soon. I can’t help but feel sorry for the Xysticus as I expect she will eventually die –at least if it’s like the Misumena vatia that I photographed a couple of years ago.
Re - Nova Scotia. Thanks! We shall definitely try to have fun — lots of hiking planned along some new and old favourite trails. We’re hoping to spend about 10 or so days down there. As mentioned, I’ll try to post some photos and notes from there barring technical difficulties. Last time we were down, I photographed all kinds of interesting flora and fauna, so I’m hoping to be able to share some of that this time round.
July 8th, 2006 at 1:13 am
Bev– When I look at these photos and see what kind of energy investment these spiders make to their offspring I am struck by their incredible sacrifice. It is a startling contrast to what I see humans do (not always, but often enough to make me cringe). It’s the same feeling I get watching birds take care of their young. Their commitment is utterly compelling. These are great photographs.
I hope you have a wonderful journey to Nova Scotia. I am looking forward to what you see and photograph. Safe travels to you and your husband.
July 8th, 2006 at 3:21 am
Hope NS goes well too. Looking at the weather here in Halifax it’s going to be a nice week, hope it is the same where ever it is you are going. However, one of the first things I learned after moving here just over a month ago, if it says “sunny and bright” expect fog anyways. Infact no matter what it says, expect fog ;) Looking forward to the NS nature posts!
July 8th, 2006 at 4:00 am
Robin - I think much the same when I’m watching and photographing these spiders. They’re incredibly determined. It really is a large energy investment for them. As often as I can, I try to follow each spider that I find protecting an egg case as it seems worth documenting what they are doing.
We’re looking forward to being in Nova Scotia — we’ve been thinking about it for weeks now. We’re not much for traveling, but we always have a wonderful time once we’re there. There will definitely be photos!
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Hi Peter. We’re hoping the weather will be decent as I know it’s been a fairly wet spring out east. The long range forecast looks okay — we don’t mind some rain and I think it was supposed to rain in our area anyhow. And yes, the fog can be bad in July. Later in August and into September is usually a lot clearer 00 usually the best time to go out whale watching on Fundy. However, we won’t be doing that this trip — just hoping to do a lot of hiking. And yes, stay tuned for some NS nature posts. With any luck, I’ll be able to upload some photos and post a few reports along the way. Guess we’ll find out soon enough!
June 27th, 2007 at 11:16 am
[…] The last spider was also found on the tip of a milkweed leaf a couple of days ago (please note how *IMPORTANT* milkweed is to all of these species of spiders!!). She’s an Oblong Running Crab Spider (Tibellus oblongus). I find these around the farm quite regularly throughout summer. They are extremely shy spiders, but the females will hang tough and stick with their egg cases even though they may feel threatened. I think this one might have just completed the webbing on the leaf, but not yet deposited eggs as the webbing looks thin and the spider’s abdomen looks larger than it probably would after ovipositing. What I find of particular interest is that I’ve photographed this species with egg cases right around this date in previous years. On June 30, 2004, I photographed this spider reaching out to shelter her egg case (note her slim abdomen). On July 6, 2006, I shot a couple of photos of one of these spiders clinging to a leaf to guard her nest. And on July 1, 2006, I photographed this gravid-looking female. It would be interesting to know if this species has a peak time for laying eggs. If so, the last few days of June and first few of July may be *it* for this region. […]