Tag Archive | danger

Not a Love Story: a blog post about spider sex

IMG_2223

Romance between highly sexually dimorphic spiders such as the Cross Orbweaver, Araneus diadematus is fraught with danger for the smaller male. His potential objet d’amour is many times his size, fast and often hungry. Therefore, when he approaches a female’s web, he is very tentative, signalling his intentions with much tapping and stroking of her web and forelegs. With repeated bouts of this, he is often able to approach closely while the female appears to be put into a quiescent state.

IMG_2177

The size differential is great, so the male is cautious

IMG_2185

Much “footsie” type courtship seems par for the course, and is kinda cute.

IMG_2195

Eventually the female hangs motionless.

IMG_2200

the final approach

IMG_2201

that is a close embrace!

IMG_2207

hmmm. that seems like too close an embrace!

IMG_2214

Doesn’t look good for Lothario here.

IMG_2219

Nope. I think we may chalk this up to a “fatal sexual encounter”. I am sure another male will be around shortly!