Exploring the Golden Orb Spider
In the vast tapestry of South Africa's wildlife, one creature stands out with its awe - inspiring golden silk webs – the Golden Orb Spider, scientifically known as the Banded Legged Nephila.
Often referred to as the"Botter Spinnekop", "Goue Wawielwebspinnekop" and Banana Spider, these arachnids belong to the Nephilidae family, and their enchanting presence adds a touch of magic to the natural landscape.
Web Weaving Wonders
The Golden Orb Spiders are renowned for their magnificent golden webs that can span large areas between bushes. These intricate structures are not only strong but have been witnessed capturing even small birds.
The female Spiders, with their black legs and yellow to white abdomen, create webs that often host multiple Spiders within. Despite their formidable appearance, these Spiders are harmless to humans and pets.
The Art of Silk
The genus name, derived from Ancient Greek, translates to "fond of spinning", a fitting homage to the colossal webs woven by these remarkable Spiders.
Unlike most Spider webs that are short - lived, the Golden Orb's web can endure for years, sometimes stretching from the top of a 6 meter tree to 2 meters across.
The silk of the Golden Orb Spider is not only visually striking but also incredibly strong. While commercial uses of Nephila silk have faced challenges, promising research in tissue engineering for medical purposes has opened new avenues.
From Shawls to Mechanical Marvels
In recent years, attempts have been made to utilize the silk for various purposes. Simon Peers and Nicholas Godley, in a four - year endeavor, used 1.2 million Golden silk Orb - Weavers to produce a unique golden cloth exhibited at the American Museum of Natural History.
To craft this distinctive golden fabric, a team of 70 individuals devoted years to gathering Golden Orb Spiders found on telephone poles in Madagascar. The outcome is an 11 - foot by 4 - foot textile, representing the sole extensive cloth composed of natural Spider silk in existence worldwide.
Further exploration into tissue engineering suggests that processed Nephila silk may serve as an excellent scaffold material due to its biocompatibility and mechanical strengths.
Interactions with Nature and Humans
Golden Orb Spiders seem to coexist peacefully with humans, often constructing their webs using human structures as a base for support strands.
While they may pose a slight inconvenience for gardeners or flower pickers, their presence can also serve as a natural pest control measure, repelling fruit flies without the need for insecticides.
Nature's Thermoregulation
Adapting to their surroundings, Golden Orb Spiders adjust their body positioning relative to the sun for thermoregulation.
As temperatures rise, they position themselves to shade their cephalothorax, and in extreme heat, they may leave their webs to seek shade.
Predators, Parasites, and Prey
Despite their impressive size, predation of Nephila species is relatively uncommon. Birds, wasps, and damselflies are among the few predators that pose a threat, particularly to juvenile Spiders.
The Spiders are also known to face kleptoparasitism, with smaller Spiders infesting their webs to feed on captured prey.
Conclusion
In the intricate dance of nature, the Golden Orb Spider takes center stage, weaving its golden silk into the rich fabric of South Africa's biodiversity.
Beyond their captivating appearance, these Spiders play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, showcasing the harmonious relationship between nature and its inhabitants.
About The Author
Kyle Grobler is a passionate environmentalist and esteemed field guide from Potchefstroom. With an unparalleled love for nature, he boasts a vast collection of over 40,000 photos, illustrating his particular affinity for birds.
Known by many as the embodiment of a true bushman, Kyle has ventured through various South African game reserves and frequently explores the Vaal River's hidden treasures. As a new contributor to the Potch Gazette's environmental page, readers can anticipate immersive tales of Potchefstroom's natural wonders through Kyle's expert lens.
To see more from Kyle and his bush experiences you can also view his Youtube Channel here: Kyle Grobler Photography
More Spider & Scorpion Stories
For more articles about Spiders & Scorpions you can click on the links below, there are so many great Spiders & Scorpions living amoungst us to discover and learn about as they play a major role in nature as we see it today.
African Trapdoor Spider: Click Here
Trapdoor Baboon Spider: Click Here
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