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Sprawling spider web engulfs North Texas park trail
Chron.com ^ | ap

Posted on 08/30/2007 2:44:49 PM PDT by Orange1998

WILLS POINT — Entomologists are debating the origin and rarity of a sprawling spider web that blankets several trees, shrubs and the ground along a 200-yard stretch of trail in a North Texas park.

Officials at Lake Tawakoni State Park say the massive mosquito trap is a big attraction for some visitors, while others won't go anywhere near it.

"At first, it was so white it looked like fairyland," said Donna Garde, superintendent of the park about 45 miles east of Dallas. "Now it's filled with so many mosquitoes that it's turned a little brown. There are times you can literally hear the screech of millions of mosquitoes caught in those webs."

Spider experts say the web may have been constructed by social cobweb spiders, which work together, or could be the result of a mass dispersal in which the arachnids spin webs to spread out from one another.

"I've been hearing from entomologists from Ohio, Kansas, British Columbia — all over the place," said Mike Quinn, an invertebrate biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department who first posted photos online.

Herbert A. "Joe" Pase, a Texas Forest Service entomologist, said the massive web is very unusual.

"From what I'm hearing it could be a once-in-a-lifetime event," he said.

But John Jackman, a professor and extension entomologist for Texas A&M University, said he hears reports of similar webs every couple of years.

"There are a lot of folks that don't realize spiders do that," said Jackman, author of "A Field Guide to the Spiders and Scorpions of Texas."

"Until we get some samples sent to us, we really won't know what species of spider we're talking about," Jackman said.

Garde invited the entomologists out to the park to get a firsthand look at the giant web.

"Somebody needs to come out that's an expert. I would love to see some entomology intern come out and study this," she said.

Park rangers said they expect the web to last until fall, when the spiders will start dying off.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: arachnids; ronpaul; shelob; spiders; spiderwebs
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To: Skywalk
Mirkwood! You took the word right out of my mouth.

Sauron (I've been to Mirkwood, btw. Dol Guldur. Got chased out by this whole upstart Council of the Wise. Temporary setback--I'll return!)

41 posted on 08/30/2007 3:05:59 PM PDT by sauron ("Truth is hate to those who hate Truth" --unknown)
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To: Orange1998

More legs than a chorus line...


42 posted on 08/30/2007 3:06:34 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (Taz Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge)
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To: B-Chan

I don’t like them on me. But as long as they stay off, I figure any spider in my house only has to eat like one bug a day and he earned his keep.

Except this year I’ve seen about 5 GIANT Hobo spiders. They’re in spider heaven now, a bite from them might not kill you but it could be dang nasty for a while.


43 posted on 08/30/2007 3:06:39 PM PDT by djf (America welcomes immigrants! Sadly, America welcomes crimmigrants even more...)
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To: TASMANIANRED

It took 24 replies before the obvious was mentioned ... this is an X File if ever there was one.


44 posted on 08/30/2007 3:06:44 PM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true.)
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To: TexanToTheCore

In Houston this year I have seen larger spiders than usual. I have others point this out to me and sure enough spider webs are larger and the spiders are huge this year.


45 posted on 08/30/2007 3:07:10 PM PDT by Orange1998
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To: Orange1998
Looks like something you would have found in the dark forest on the Wizard of Oz.

I wonder if those trees can talk...
46 posted on 08/30/2007 3:07:37 PM PDT by reagan_fanatic (Ron Paul put the cuckoo in my Cocoa Puffs)
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To: knarf

Didn’t some enviroweenies get lashed to a tree...and desicated...


47 posted on 08/30/2007 3:08:28 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (Taz Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge)
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To: WestCoastGal; Rushmore Rocks; BurbankKarl

spooky spider web ping!


48 posted on 08/30/2007 3:08:49 PM PDT by KylaStarr
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To: Free Vulcan
I resent that remark.

Next time I inhabit Dol Guldur, I'll be back TO STAY.

Sauron

49 posted on 08/30/2007 3:09:09 PM PDT by sauron ("Truth is hate to those who hate Truth" --unknown)
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To: Orange1998

EWWW!
Looks like the final scene from the William Shatner movie, “Kingdom of the Spiders.”
Bookmarking.


50 posted on 08/30/2007 3:09:22 PM PDT by RandallFlagg (Satisfaction was my sin)
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To: Skywalk
Lake Tawakoni State Park, Wills Point, Hunt Co., Texas, August 23, 2007 (Park Staff)

This web was first found about three weeks prior to the photo and has been spreading slowly. It's out on a point by the lake, probably less than 50 yards from the water. It continues along the park's nature trail for some 200 yards!

51 posted on 08/30/2007 3:09:33 PM PDT by Orange1998
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To: Orange1998

Paging Delbert McClintock, Please pick up the courtesy phone.


52 posted on 08/30/2007 3:09:43 PM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0 (Reunite Gondwanaland!)
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To: Orange1998

Now you know what happens to spiders when you water them...


53 posted on 08/30/2007 3:09:45 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (Taz Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge)
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To: WestCoastGal

That’s what I run into every time I cross my yard in the dark!


54 posted on 08/30/2007 3:09:52 PM PDT by SouthTexas
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To: Orange1998

WOW! That’s actually pretty cool. I could see that creating arachnophobia in some people though.


55 posted on 08/30/2007 3:10:43 PM PDT by Paved Paradise
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To: RandallFlagg

I knew a lady who would absolutely Freak Out when spiders are near. I mean Freak Out.


56 posted on 08/30/2007 3:10:48 PM PDT by Orange1998
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To: Orange1998
I didn’t think spiders were communal...

They are cannibals...Feeding down there must be really good if they aren’t eating each other.

57 posted on 08/30/2007 3:12:13 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (Taz Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge)
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To: cripplecreek

I don’t get why people “HATE” spiders. I don’t want any bug crawling on me, but if they’re small or “Daddy Long Legs,” I don’t mind them at all. I live in a brick home in the woods and we have big time spiders. I’ve even seen my hubby jump a few feet in the air before - we’re talking jumbo here.

But, I don’t HATE them. Now, flies, on the other hand, I HATE them. HATE THEM.


58 posted on 08/30/2007 3:12:56 PM PDT by Paved Paradise
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To: WestCoastGal

LOL! I see you found this thread without my ping : )

ewwww.. don’t go near your trees!


59 posted on 08/30/2007 3:12:57 PM PDT by KylaStarr
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To: knarf

The other obvious remarks.

Global Warming

Now we know where the bees went

Bush is to blame.

We’re all gonna die.


60 posted on 08/30/2007 3:14:00 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (Taz Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge)
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