Spider Webs
Entomologists from around the world are very excited about a unique spider web that looks like something out of a movie. The web is so large that it covers a good number of trees and surrounding plants at Lake Tawokoni State Park.
The magnificent picture of the giant spider web below was taken by the Donna Garde, superintendent of the state park. Walking upon this site may scare many, and it’s reported that some visitors actually fear that their small dogs may be webbed and consumed ‘nothing could be further from the truth!’ In fact, it is one of the best bug free areas in the park acting as a giant mosquito net.
Although no one has given a definitive answer, many spider experts conclude that the ’stretch spiders’, pictured below, are working together to form the massive web. Some say these webs happen every few years while others say it is a rarity.
Stretch Spiders, or Tetragnatha, are found all over the world, although most occur in the tropics and subtropics. They obtain their name from the ability to stretch out and hide on a stick or blade of grass when in danger. These spiders are commonly found close to water and compose large webs. In the case of above, these spiders appear to be working together.
If you have seen spider webs like this in your area, or have more information, please post for others to see!
If you would like to see these webs for yourself, visit the Lake Tawokoni State Park website at or give them a call at 10822 FM 2475, Wills Point, TX 75169 (903) 560-7123
Lake Tawakoni State Park is a 376.3-acre park in Hunt County with 5.2 miles of shoreline along the south central shore of the main body of the reservoir. The park operates the 36,700 surface acre reservoir and Iron Bridge Dam, on the headwaters of the Sabine River.
A special mention to Sonya Fenton who was very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with ‘thank you Sonya!’
In many of the thumbnails below, you’ll notice all the bugs captured within the spider webs. Some look dark in color because of the number of insects collected!
Written by Jim on August 7th, 2007 with
11 comments.
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Wow! These spiders must be communicating on some level, is no one worried about this? Before I looked at the larger picture, I thought that last snapshot was a human caught in the web. Imagine waling under those webs at night. I am sure my brain will use this while I’m sleeping tonight!
This is cool! We are going to see these webs in person this weekend and will report back.
When you do, tell Sonya that you heard about it at BadSpiderBites.com - if you can, please take some pictures and post them for everyone to see. I would imagine these giant spider webs have changed since the last pictures were taken.
Thanks Tinker!
i have a brown spider on my front porch. it looks like a brown recluse but we are not sure he has a huge web going from my rail and up to my gutter. i have two lil ones that run in and out all day long and i dont want them to get hurt how do i determain what kind of spider it is and,what is the best way to rid of it?
What kind of spider would build a magnificent web in less than 12 hours. We went out to out car and noticed a beautiful web that could not have possibly been there the day before. I always thought that it takes a lot of skill for spiders to build such webs. Also we have a lot of spiders in the house we are now renting and we have noticed a lot of little marks that mostly itch but some do not and they are red. I am really concerned about that. Two of my three kids have bites and I also have bites.
“Spider webs.” During the Mig hatch at Klamath and Agency lake in southern Oregon. The miges are in massive numbers and web covered plants like those shown in your artical start apearing. Especially along the hwy where the vortex from passing big rigs swirl and condense the bugs into massive clouds that drift along the raod side. Spiders take advantage of this food supply and do not eat their young so several generations of spiders are all working in one location. I will attempt to photo document the types and numbers of spiders next spring when the hatch occures.
AWESOME PICS
can you tell me how long does it take for a spider to spin a web?
i live in AZ and have seen what looks like spiders working together before, but never on this scale. this is beautiful. thank you for sharing.
Thats crazy, creepy, and cool all at once. I never would have thought that spiders could do that. But i guess you learn something new everyday. I’m one of those people who are terrified of spiders i actually passed out one time when one went across my tummy. But at the same time I’m fascinated by them to. I don’t know why but theres just one of those bugs you cant help but be afraid of but drawn to also maybe I’m weird but thats how i think about them
hi i’m jaime frm suffolk in england i think i may have found one of these stretch spiders webs here i include a couple of pics for you. i look forward to hearing frm you