Her pattern a symbol,
of the morals of her kin.
Her web a floral design,
from countless threads spun thin,
on which she bears her cross,
to carry it to my grave.

R.I.P. stink bug 🩶

And to the cross spider, enjoy your meal! 😋

The female garden spider (Araneus diadematus) soon lays her eggs and therefore needs a lot of energy. 🍂🍁 She then dies and the eggs overwinter in the cocoon. ☃️❄️

In my poem, the cross spider is depicted both literally and symbolically as the bearer of the morals of her kin. The distinctive cross on her back represents not only a natural characteristic but also the burden of the moral values and traditions she embodies. Her web symbolizes the complex network of ethical principles woven within the community, highlighting how the individual is intertwined with these structures.

The image of the spider carrying her cross to the grave of the lyrical self refers to the inevitable connection between life and death, while also conveying the responsibility and consequences of the moral choices of her kin. The cross spider thus becomes a symbol of the dynamics of tradition, responsibility, and the ultimate transience of life.

European garden spider (Araneus diadematus) 🕷️💕

Every year, an adult female garden spider builds her web in this preferred spot. The mating season begins at the beginning of August.

Sexually mature females secrete a substance whose smell attracts males.

However, the guys only notice the smell when they are up close. Therefore, the males themselves have to be good at finding and reaching promising places as well.

Garden spiders live for two years. Sexual maturity begins in the second year. The males die after mating, the females some time after laying their eggs (September-October).

This bug knows how to get through life.✌️😎

Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) trapped by a garden spider (Araneus diadematus).

❄️🕸️❄️🕸️❄️

This morning the whole balcony was hung with white spider webs. It was very foggy at minus 5 degrees. A beautiful, enchanting sight that did not last long. The webs collapsed after a short time. These were the works of garden spiders (Araneus diadematus).🥰
I couldn't stand it for long either and I'm back in quickly! 😄☕

European garden spider,
Araneus diadematus
(09/2016 in Oberursel, Germany)

Clever place for a cobweb! 🕸🕷🏵 Breakfast is safe, 🐝✌
just need to wait! 🍽⏰🙃
Could watch the sky a little bit....🔭 Oh, what kind of weird beast is that watching me? 😲 Does it have moths in its fur?🙈🙈🙈

European garden spider,
Araneus diadematus
(08/2016 in Oberursel, Germany)