Spider Behaviour

[Kia]

One female A. Diadematus spun a beautiful web yesterday morning, then less than 4 hours later it was damaged by rainfall.
As the rains eased off the spider, who had being hiding out in a crack, came down and literally shoveled up an almost 1/4 slice of the web and crammed it into what I assume was her mouth. This resulted in her ending up with a mass of gluey web in the face area. Having eventually smushed in all in she set about cleaning her legs in her 3/4 web. She didn't bother with the rest of the web.
I know they eat their web and re-spin a new one each day, but I'd thought they sort of undo the web the same way they made it - in a spiral(ish).
This one just started from the middle and headed for the edge reaching as far as possible, gathering it up and shovin it in. - What was she doing? Why only 1/4?

While watching this I became aware of a male nearby (woo hoo the first one I've seen). He "borrowed" a web from a Zygiella sp to use as a shortcut up part of the bush. Poor little spider quit spinning it's web and ran for the cover of it's leaf (been there for a week or so) - can't say I blame it.

This male decided to hang out on the next branch up (not far from the web of the above mentioned female) and a particularly brave Zygiella sp from the window edge came to investigate. She got close enough to "pat" the male A. Diadematus with her front legs and almost paid the price, but she was just quick enough to get out the way - didn't make the same mistake twice though. The male was still on his branch about 2am this morning.

However, by 6am this morning, both the Zygiella sp and the male A. Diadematus are "missing". Did I miss out on spider wars in the night?
Did he get his girl?

And why do spiders just let their back legs dangle when climbing a web? Do they not realise that they damage their own hardwork by doing that?

[naturegirl]

Venger's the guy for this I'm afraid!

(sorry again Venger but you are THE expert!!)

He knows about such things!

Naturegirl