Saturday 20 December 2008

Our lovely spider friend...






Alexander, my 10 yr old, was given a book on spiders at cubs recently, and both of us have found it quite interesting. It was comforting to know that most spiders around the place are not too nasty and at the most may give you a nasty painful bite or a bit of nausea.

Two days ago I noticed a really lovely looking spider stretched out among the roses on my front fence. I called to Alex who came to have a look and after close inspection announced the spider was a St Andrew's cross spider...never hearing of one of those I was a bit sceptical until he ran and got the spider book and sure enough there it was!

So we've discovered our new spider pal is a female and makes a gorgeous St Andrew's cross in her web. I have decided to name her after me haha...as Andrea is the feminine (unless you're in Italy) of Andrew.

This morning, after a huge downpour, I was a bit worried that Andrea may have been washed away but my 4 yr old ran to the fence shouting "Andwea is not gone!"

Hooray for Andrea!

here's a photo (sorry to all you arachnophobes!)






4 comments:

Lacey said...

As much as I am not a fan of spiders, I have to admit that she is a pretty spider. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Lacey!!
So nice to see you here...haha yes she is rather pretty! I was reading that the female sometimes eats the male if she's not too fond of him! not so nice haha.

Sue said...

Andrea has very interesting markings. I don't mean to blanche when I look at her. I can't quite control that strange neanderthal reaction!!

A St Andrew's Cross Spider, huh? I don't think I have ever seen one of those before.

I'm glad Andrea didn't get washed away in the rain! :)

MelMel said...

Merry Christmas!x