Local shocked by 'nightmare' garden find
- Replies 9
It will be a long, hot spring just before summer, and you know what that means! It's time to pull out the insect spray and tidy up our backyards to enjoy the sunshine without any little critters spoiling our fun.
But does our 'spring cleanup' extend to making sure our gardens are safe from huge critters, too?
That's the question Queensland resident Ronda Cooper asked her neighbours after she spotted a 'terrifying' sight in her backyard… and she has the photo to prove it!
'I was kind of shocked,' she said, adding: 'My worst nightmare has come true.'
Ronda was looking out the window of her Queensland home when she spotted a perfectly round and humongous spider web hanging from the branches of a nearby tree.
It was at least a couple of metres wide. Unable to believe it, Ronda shared a photo of it on social media, but she didn't expect the response it received.
The post amassed more than 16,000 'likes' and over 30,000 shares; however, it also attracted some sceptics who thought the photo was an optical illusion.
'Taken through a window. The web is just outside the window,' one person theorised in the comments. 'Spiderweb is close up. The rest isn't,' said another.
But Ronda assured people that's not the case, so she took another photo. This time, she was outside.
Ronda moved to Australia four years ago, so she admitted she wasn't exactly used to such sights. 'Aussie friends commented on how huge it was,' she added.
'I was in awe at how beautiful it was'.
Ronda also noted that the web was incredibly strong, and held up despite strong rain and wind. 'Even rain and wind didn't destroy it as it blew like a tarp or sheet in the wind and held strong,' she said.
Despite its terrifying appearance, Ronda viewed it as a 'work of art', and many people concurred, stating that they had never witnessed such a large spider web before.
So, what's the truth behind this 'terrifying' photo? Experts agree it's a pretty average-sized web from what's believed to be a garden orb-weaving spider.
'These spiders do this regularly,' said arachnologist Dr Volker Framenau from Murdoch University.
'What is astonishing is that they generally build their new web every night and take it down before dawn. Finding one during the day is rather unusual and seems to indicate that the spider has abandoned the web or has died.'
Professor Sasha Mikheyev from ANU agreed, saying, 'These webs can be well over a metre in diameter'. But even if this web wasn't truly giant size, it was certainly a sight to behold!
Australian garden orb-weavers are known for their striking appearance, with a round, intricately patterned abdomen ranging from shades of brown to vibrant green or yellow.
They construct large, intricate orb-shaped webs to catch their prey, primarily insects.
Despite their somewhat intimidating appearance, they are generally harmless to humans and play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, making them valuable contributors to the local ecosystem.
Their presence in gardens also adds a touch of nature's artistry and intrigue!
Members, have you seen any similar webs or critters in your garden too? Tell us below—maybe even share a picture!
But does our 'spring cleanup' extend to making sure our gardens are safe from huge critters, too?
That's the question Queensland resident Ronda Cooper asked her neighbours after she spotted a 'terrifying' sight in her backyard… and she has the photo to prove it!
'I was kind of shocked,' she said, adding: 'My worst nightmare has come true.'
The web was hanging from the large tree and was attached to another smaller tree by the fence. Credit: Facebook.
Ronda was looking out the window of her Queensland home when she spotted a perfectly round and humongous spider web hanging from the branches of a nearby tree.
It was at least a couple of metres wide. Unable to believe it, Ronda shared a photo of it on social media, but she didn't expect the response it received.
The post amassed more than 16,000 'likes' and over 30,000 shares; however, it also attracted some sceptics who thought the photo was an optical illusion.
'Taken through a window. The web is just outside the window,' one person theorised in the comments. 'Spiderweb is close up. The rest isn't,' said another.
But Ronda assured people that's not the case, so she took another photo. This time, she was outside.
Ronda moved to Australia four years ago, so she admitted she wasn't exactly used to such sights. 'Aussie friends commented on how huge it was,' she added.
'I was in awe at how beautiful it was'.
Ronda also noted that the web was incredibly strong, and held up despite strong rain and wind. 'Even rain and wind didn't destroy it as it blew like a tarp or sheet in the wind and held strong,' she said.
Despite its terrifying appearance, Ronda viewed it as a 'work of art', and many people concurred, stating that they had never witnessed such a large spider web before.
Ronda shut down theories the photo was taken through the window of her home. Credit: Facebook.
So, what's the truth behind this 'terrifying' photo? Experts agree it's a pretty average-sized web from what's believed to be a garden orb-weaving spider.
'These spiders do this regularly,' said arachnologist Dr Volker Framenau from Murdoch University.
'What is astonishing is that they generally build their new web every night and take it down before dawn. Finding one during the day is rather unusual and seems to indicate that the spider has abandoned the web or has died.'
Professor Sasha Mikheyev from ANU agreed, saying, 'These webs can be well over a metre in diameter'. But even if this web wasn't truly giant size, it was certainly a sight to behold!
Australian garden orb-weavers are known for their striking appearance, with a round, intricately patterned abdomen ranging from shades of brown to vibrant green or yellow.
They construct large, intricate orb-shaped webs to catch their prey, primarily insects.
Despite their somewhat intimidating appearance, they are generally harmless to humans and play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, making them valuable contributors to the local ecosystem.
Their presence in gardens also adds a touch of nature's artistry and intrigue!
Members, have you seen any similar webs or critters in your garden too? Tell us below—maybe even share a picture!
.png){kind=icon}
I should have taken a photo
