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Does anyone know about any spider species that weave a red web? I have seen this in a picture a friend has taken, in North Carolina. Has she found a new subspecies?
Spider Subspecies in NC? - Has Friend Found New One?
- Thread starter EnumaElish
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SUMMARY
The discussion centers on the observation of a spider species in North Carolina that weaves a red web, initially thought to be a potential new subspecies. The red coloration is attributed to the spider's diet, specifically the consumption of ferric soils rich in iron, which are prevalent in a band stretching from the Carolinas to Florida and as far as Arizona. The contributor has firsthand experience collecting soil samples across these states, supporting the hypothesis that the mineral content influences the web's color.
PREREQUISITES- Knowledge of spider biology and behavior
- Understanding of soil composition and mineral effects on organisms
- Familiarity with the geographical distribution of iron-rich soils in the southeastern United States
- Basic principles of web construction in arachnids
- Research the effects of soil minerals on spider web composition
- Investigate the geographical distribution of ferric soils in the United States
- Learn about the various spider species native to North Carolina
- Explore the role of diet in the coloration of spider webs
Entomologists, arachnologists, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in the ecological impacts of soil composition on spider behavior and web characteristics.
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Never mind. As it turned out, the guy she was hanging out with at the time is a prankster.
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Ouabache
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Wish you had held out a little longer, I was going to take an educated guess.
The red webs in North Carolina may have to do with consumption of the ferric soils in the arachnid's diet. There is a band of red (iron rich) soil's that spans from Carolinas down to Florida and across the south, at least to Arizona, (as evident in the Grand Canyon). I know this first hand, as I've collected samples from each state.
If the spider incorporated this mineral into its web, it could account for the unusual red color.
The red webs in North Carolina may have to do with consumption of the ferric soils in the arachnid's diet. There is a band of red (iron rich) soil's that spans from Carolinas down to Florida and across the south, at least to Arizona, (as evident in the Grand Canyon). I know this first hand, as I've collected samples from each state.
If the spider incorporated this mineral into its web, it could account for the unusual red color.
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