Tarantula Hawk Near Cienega Creek — Images by kenne
As you can see, a tarantula hawk is not a hawk, but is a spider wasp (Pompilidae) that preys on tarantulas.
Tarantula hawks belong to any of the many species in the genera Pepsis and Hemipepsis. They are one of the
largest parasitoid wasps, using their sting to paralyze their prey before dragging it to a brood nest as living
food; a single egg is laid on the prey, hatching to a larva which eats the still-living prey. Source: Wikipedia
A Spider In Her Web — Photo-Artistry by kenne
A hungry Spider made a web
Of thread so very fine,
Your tiny fingers scarce could feel
The little slender line.
Round-about, and round-about,
And round-about it spun,
Straight across and back again,
Until the web was done.
Oh, what a pretty shining web
It was, when it was done!
The little flies all came to see
It hanging in the sun.
Round-about, and round-about,
And round-about they danced,
Across the web and back again
They darted and they glanced.
— from A Cobweb Made to Order by Aunt Effie
Spider In Its Web — Image by kenne
“Said the cunning spider to the fly, “Dear friend, what shall I do,
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome; will you please to take a slice?”
“O no, no,” said the little fly, “kind sir, that cannot be;
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see.”
— from The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt
Mama Spider and Hundreds of Little Ones — Image by kenne
Spotted this spider web on a wild cotton plant yesterday while hiking to Hutche’s Pool in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
kenne
