Squads of butterflies would fly in, sip nectar from flowers, search or reconnoiter. We’re in Traci’s Kelso Swamp on an early September morning, Southwestern Pennsylvania. Minutes later they’d be . . . gone. Gone where? Who knows?
Search as you might, there’d be no butterflies to be seen for some 10 to 15 minutes. That’s when you start noticing the other residents at the swamp’s edge. Most memorable were those Black and Yellow Argiopes, the huge garden spiders that build their webs 2-4 feet across from one plant to another. We had laughed days before, when I reported to blog readers that the web ‘silk’ of Georgia’s southern argiopes tasted exactly like the silk of these Allegheny county spiders.
It is difficult to capture a good photograph of one of these argiopes. This one had ensnared prey on its web. She was headed over to it once again, to feed, tend or check the permanence of this capture. Ok, I had a lull in my wingedbeauty butterfly photography action, and Ms. Argiope was a looker. I could get into a good position for myself. Let’s see what we can do here.
Argiopes are native, handsome, and remind us of the need for preparation, dedication and patience. Much as it pains viewers to see these spiders at their work, it is vital for insect population dynamics.
I saw Star Wars 7, the one that just came out. As I recover from that experience, Argiopes kind of make sense.
Jeff
Winged Beauty Butterflies 
This is has been my favorite spider for many many years. I have spent hours just watching the females build and repair webs. I am not at all keen about spiders in the house, but this colorful garden spider is always welcome in my meadows and wild gardens. They are rather shy for such a large spider and they are notat all keen on me invading their home either. The few that have coaxed onto my hand or arm and will not stay there long, dropping to the ground and hiding in litter until you back away.
I once watched a “nest” of hatching Argiopes emerging, and they were such adorable little mini me’s”(Austin Power’s movie. The cocoon is made in the fall, winters over, and the spiderlings emerge in the Spring. There can as many a thousand babies in one egg sack. They look like a minuscule swarm off bumble bees. Some stay near the sack for a day or two, but the majority of them exude a thin strand of silk and drift off into the wind. And if you are very lucky, one or two pairs may stay in the meadow and you can watch the cycle start again new.
And do not even get me started on the zig zag zipper they make in their tidy 2 ft webs . . . . . . . .
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