Rewilding My Lot

I was just walking beside the house yesterday and happened to notice a Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscona crucifera) spider hanging from a single thread from the eaves. No big deal. But suddenly there was frantic activity as a dragonfly appeared tangled in the thread.

After some wrestling, which quickly subdued the dragonfly, the spider hoisted its prey up higher.

At that point, presumably feeding was happening. When I looked again an hour or so later the spider was back up in the eaves with the dragonfly carcass left to dangle in the breeze.

Two things were surprising about this encounter. One was that this spider, known for making webs, was only working on a single thread. The other is that Spotted Orbweavers are usually nocturnal. However, I suppose that if breakfast accidentally delivers itself, you don’t waste the opportunity.