Unidentified

Hi, the zigzag webbing is called stabilimentum (plural), stabilimenta (singular). The orbweaver species use it in a variety of ways. One species make a nest of it then lies on and it works as camouflage. It is theorized that stabilimentum make the web stronger and/or distract prey visually from seeing the spider and/or makes the web MORE visible to larger animals to keep them from blundering into the web and wrecking it and hurting the spider. Like in your photo the orbweavers often are photographed with stabilimentum in front of them and behind them. The markings on their bodies blend… Read more »