Since spider web structure and spider web silk material is amazing biomaterial and remarkable structural engineering we enjoy looking for examples of every size and shape and structure of spider web.
Here are two frankly remarkable spiders: one for its web structure, the other for its size (but its orb webs are also of interest).
As soon as funding is available we can find examples of every spider genus in Guatemala.
While cleaning out an over-filled hard drive on my iMac computer I happened to find photographs of a nice spider web from Yaxha. The photos were dated Dec 29, 2006. I tend to spend Christmas and New Year’s in remote areas doing research on plants and animals (and spiders).
Spiders are a helpful part of eco-systems. Whenever we find spider webs in Guatemala we photograph them. The orb web structure are the most visible, especially if they have been drenched with mist or drizzle, or if the sun is shining on the web at certain angles.
We do not destroy, disrupt, or damage spider webs; they are fascinating and educational parts of the real world.
Tarantulas are part of the Mayan rain forest and mountain eco systems. They normally do not attack; normally do not bite, sting, or hurt you (unless you pester them, or unless the tarantula you wish to interact with wants to be left in peace and quiet). I have never been attacked because I can recognize their attitude when I approach them on the ground. If a tarantula rears up on its lets to show defiance, do not continue to interact with this one.
While Erick Flores was a university student he accomplished high-quality photography of spiders.
Sophia Monzon and Nicholas Hellmuth also have photographed spiders and spider webs in recent years throughout Guatemala, and especially inside the office of FLAAR Mesoamerica plus in our FLAAR Mayan Ethnobotanical Research Garden which surrounds the office in the suburbs of Guatemala City.
If you want to have pesticides, insecticides, and other carcinogenic chemicals all over the inside of your home, then this is one way to get rid of insects.
We get rid of our insects in the tropics of Guatemala by letting local spiders capture the insects themselves.
Gheckos are not native to Guatemala but they are in most parts of the countries. They have friendly chirping sounds and will never bother you. So do not try to spray them or otherwise kill them.
Several species of venomous toads also capture insects and eat them. If you know what part of the toad not to touch, and if you interact with the toads so they do not get irritated, they will not exude their venom.
We have created a MayanToons comic book to help children learn the concept of initiative, daring, and how to start a new enterprise.
If you can donate to facilitate being able to finish this book, your help would be greatly appreciated. FLAAR is tax exempt in USA. Donations can be sent by personal or corporate check to our Missouri address or via PayPal via credit card.
Contact FrontDesk symbol FLAAR.org.
You can also join Dr Nicholas (Hellmuth) out in the jungles of Guatemala to explore the remote Mayan areas where he is now working on butterflies, stingless honey bees, wasps of every size, shape and color, spiders, waterbirds and shore birds, plus all edible and useable native Mayan plants that were available to the Classic Mayan people thousands of years ago.
Most recently updated February 4, 2019 First Posted August 7, 2017
