Another sad discovery in the lab: another spider, Gilly, has died suspiciously of an exploded abdomen. This has only been happening since I started feeding them waxworms and mealworms, so I suspect gluttony might be the culprit.
Strangely, this has only been happening to my Parasteatoda, while the two species of Steatoda are doing just fine. My colony is currently dominated by Steatoda triangulosa, which is unexpected, since they were relatively rare in our collection sites. I do have about 20 or so juvenile Parasteatoda growing up in smaller containers, though, so the pendulum may swing back in a few weeks when they get promoted to the big breeding cages.
Meanwhile, here’s the latest juvenile (Steatoda triangulosa, of course) that is ready for breeding, I think. The picture catches her at a good angle so you can see both the zig-zag brown stripe down the side of her abdomen, and the sawtooth or triangle pattern you can see dorsally.
You can sort of see a white-flocked Christmas tree on her abdomen, maybe. (NO, IT’S TOO SOON FOR CHRISTMAS REFERENCES!).
I’m a little worried about my own abdomen exploding soon. Must try to not overeat on Thanksgiving.
It looks like it may have inspired the pattern on Charlie Brown’s sweater.
The mildly deranged penguin is rubbing her wings excitedly, murmuring, “hee hee it’s working it’s working soon soon mine all MINE!” I am not too concerned, as there is no white cat in the vicinity… well, Ok, there is the flying submersible submarine base, but the important thing is no white cat.
I’m sure it’s not your fault, PZ, but I can’t help imagining the Mr. Creosote scene with you hovering over the spider vial.
Gilly: Oh fuck off, I’m full.
PZ: It’s only wafer thin.
https://youtu.be/uRpt4a6H99c