Q. Would you identify this spider? It was on my doorstep last week. Size: bigger than a quarter and probably smaller than a silver dollar.
Thanks
Jana Pastika
A. Thanks for sending me the photo of this gorgeous spider!!!! It is an orbweaver; scientific name Araneus. These are the spiders that make the large circular webs most common in late summer. Most are not as colorful as this, but there are several species and highly variable. Charlotte of Charlotte's Web fame was also an orbweaver. It's a beauty. If it is still around and you are willing to catch it, I would love to have it for a talk that I will be giving. Feel free to call me. Thanks for noticing spiders!!!!
Q. My grandniece went swimming in Lake Superior yesterday and became intrigued with tiny gelatinous spheres in the water. She took 3 of them back to our house in a pail and we photographed them. See attached. We would appreciate any information you may have on them.
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Carole Lent and
grandniece Keely
A. 1. I cannot tell from the photo what the gelatinous spheres are. Maybe I could with a microscope. You might want to contact the EPA lab.
2. The spider photo sent is an orb-web spider commonly called the shamrock spider. At this time of year, they have a huge abdomen that contains the eggs. They do not do much moving at this time and will not live more than another month.
I hope this helps.
Larry Weber
