Kidney Garden Spider – Further observations

YC Wee

on 23rd February 2016

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“Spotted another one of the Kidney Garden Spider (Araneus mitificus) and adding to the information and images I sent you earlier… HERE.

“On 7th February 2016 I spotted a second Kidney Garden Spider in our garden; this time a male (no images of the spider). It has built three silk ‘hide aways’ but only one was in use. I presume the others had been used in the past.

“I was able to observe this one better and noticed that it kept one claw on the important spider-web strand that led to the web (above, below), to be informed if any prey is snagged.

“The spider is both crafty and patient; reminds me of the bitterns who wait patiently while fishing.

“Above shows the web structure and again that characteristic gap in the web where the spider is waiting/hiding.

“I had an opportunity to check on the first spider and spotted that it has caught a large fly. Above shows the fly wrapped and brought to the silk ‘hide away’ to feed on securely.

“Two days later I spotted the male with a Planthopper prey just outside his hideaway. The above image shows that the male is more uniform green than the female.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
7th and 9th February 2016

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Kidney Garden Spider – Further observations

YC Wee

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From looking at birds to studying birds: The story of the Bird Ecology Study Group. Part 1: Looking at Birds.

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From watching birdwatchers to watching birds

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