Our Wasp Spiders are getting even bigger and I have put out some mini signs to show where one or two of them are! One of the characteristics of a Wasp Spider web is the stabilimentum; a curious zig-zag of thicker silk that runs above and below the spider in the web. No one is quite sure of its purpose but I have never seen one creating any other pattern than the vertical one. This beauty has however added a complete circle of thickened silk around it. Very attractive and obviously not a deterant to catching her supper!
The lollipop stabilimentum ! (Chris Slade)
The 'oh, I can not remember how to make one' stabilimentum (Matthew Foakes)
A text book stabilimentum (Pete Livermore)
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer