Why was the Wasp Spider vibrating its web?

[Deb London]

I have to admit to having a fear of spiders, but when I saw this female Wasp Spider I instinctively thrust my camera forwards to get a shot as the pattern was just too good to be true.



When it first saw me it ran to the edge of its web. Then we had a bit of an eye-to-eye stand off for a few moments before it returned to the centre of the web and started bouncing very excitedly.

The blur in most of the shots demonstrates what it was up to:


Can anyone tell me what it was doing? Because of my phobia, I had a fancy that it was trying to intimidate me. Well it worked, I was excited as it was.

But is there a better explanation than that it sensed my fear and thought it would try and freak me out?

[nikolai_avenger]

Some species do this for a number of reasons, probably a threat response in this case. Pholcus also vibrate in their web when you get 'in their face', however I have also seen them doing it when a prey item gets caught in the outer regions of the web, presumably to help ensnare it further. So a couple of possibilities for you there.


Cheers. Nik.

[Deb London]

Thanks Nik. Interesting that they do it for various reasons. I'm guessing it thought I was a potential predator. Maybe it wasn't trying to appear bigger than it seemed, but trying to confuse my eye so I was less likely to pounce on it. Nothing was further from my mind.

[2dogs2000]

I have a cellar spider living in my outside loo and they are well known for vibrating their webs if disturbed. I have used this to my advantage. Check out my post in the tree house 'Toilet Training'

[Kayleigh]

Nice find Deb, a bit intimidating...

[Deb London]

Thanks both. They're scary and they know it!