Where has this spider gone?

[naturegirl]

A little while ago I told you about 'Boris' the jet black garden spider who builds a web across my shed doorway every night.

Well, I think Boris has had a sex change! Boris was obviously a 'she' and heavily pregnant.

Now I see this 'other' jet black garden spider who is living above the doorway but this one is much, much slimmer and has a pointed abdomen (male?)

Just before Boris disappeared I noticed this other spider had taken up residence above Boris' web so I know it isn't Boris in drag.

I am totally confused

Any ideas?

Naturegirl

[Venger]

Hi NG,
It's obviously a good spot.
I've found many different spiders occupying the same spot (I know it's different as I've collected the first spider), it's obviously filling all the 'food available here' buttons on the spiders list
When you say 'jet black garden spider' do you have any idea what species?

Males will generally be smaller, slimmer abdomen and obviously 'boxing gloves' (palps) if it's mature.

[naturegirl]

Thanks for that Venger

Boris was obviously a female and HUGE! I'd say about 2.5-3 cm across the body. This new one is somewhat smaller but still large by my standards

I thought they were both just Garden spiders that people take lovely pictures of their webs coated in dew. They are both jet black with 2 white spots underneath.

I am still intrigued as to where Boris has gone??

My very small garden is filled to capacity with nectar rich plants and is visited by loads of insects so I suppose it is spider yum yums. There are a lot of spiders here as well and lots of shady places for them to hide.

When I ran out of ground space I went vertical with hanging baskets and tubs on all available walls/fences! I've been picking the most delicious runner beans for about a week now, yummy!

I refuse to use sprays of any kind here, that's why it tastes SO good!

Naturegirl

[naturegirl]

Well, they have both gone 'somewhere' now!

I have been doing my babysitting duties again since Thursday eveng only to return tonight and find NO webs across my shed doorway!

Where do spiders go when they just disappear?

I have also noticed that several S.grossa have 'gone' from where they were hiding?

They must go 'somewhere'?

Help!

Naturegirl

[Venger]

They just move on to fresher pastures, or they were eaten, or died.
Nature isn't static