Web art

Sunday's misty foggy conditions made the unseen seen.

Heavy dew settled on spider webs throughout the forest creating displays of droplets and silk.

One could truly appreciate the work of the eight-legged artists.

​It was nice to view the webs instead of wearing them. 

I usually ended up with the webs, their occupants and the remnants of spider meals across my face or covering my head. This was not enjoyable for any parties involved.

​However, the invisibility of the webs allowed the spiders to do what they do best. These are the tools that some spiders use to serve as nature's pest control. They help keep the insect population in check.  

Possible shamrock orb weaver with a dragonfly for dinner.

Recently two cases of bugs gone bad have begun to affect areas near or in our region. A graphic with a story posted by Penn State Extension reported that Venango County had been added to the spotted lanternfly quarantine just this year.

​In other parts of the state, the infestation was so bad the bugs were spotted on radar. 

"This afternoon (again), the low reflectivity values shown on the radar imagery across the Pittsburgh region are bugs -- and most of them are more than likely lantern flies. Yuck!," said a September 16 Facebook post by PA Weather Plus, LLC.

While I have not yet spotted a spotted lanternfly, the invasion appeared imminent. 
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These bugs have strong preference for economically important plants including grapevines, maple trees, black walnut, birch, willow, and other trees. The feeding damage significantly stresses the plants which can lead to decreased health and potentially death, said the Penn State Extension post. 

Another insect was ravaging the deer population in Ohio. Reports indicated that Ohio may limit deer hunting due to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD).

​As of Sept. 18, 2025, the public had reported nearly 7,500 dead or sick deer to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Internet reports pointed to culicoides midges as the culprits behind the deaths. The midges breed in moist environments near water sources.

​Environmental conditions, such as excessive rain followed by dry spells can create favorable conditions for midge reproduction, increasing the risk of EHD outbreaks, according to reports.  ​ 

A press release from the Pennsylvania Game Commission said the disease had been confirmed in several western counties and is being investigated in some southeastern counties.

​"Currently, EHD detections include: Butler, Erie, Lawrence, and Mercer counties," the commission said.
"EHD is spread by tiny biting midges or “no-see-ums”, that typically appear in late summer. They continue to remain a threat until a hard frost. Infected deer can show swelling of the face or neck, loss of appetite, weakness, lameness, and excessive salivation," the release continued.

The commission was asking the public to report any sick or deer, especially if multiple animals are found in the same area.
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Folks can report these sightings by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD.

Marbled orb weaver

​Meanwhile, I attempted to identify some of these pest control artists. The spiders responsible for the ring-shaped webs were dubbed orb weaver spiders.

The spiders are common in the state and contribute significantly to the ecosystem, according to internet reports. 
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The ones I had observed the most were marbled orb weavers. Their markings were distinctive. 

Marbled orb weaver

"​The webs are found in trees, shrubs and tall weeds, and grasses in moist, wooded settings and can frequently be found along the banks of streams. The webs are oriented vertically and have a 'signal' thread attached to the center that notifies the spider when prey has been captured," said a Penn State Extension post. 

Possible long jawed spider

I struggled to find the identification of a spider I had photographed at the pond's edge. I believed it to be a member of the Tetragnathidae family. The arachnids were also known as long jawed spiders. According to reports some species are often found in long vegetation near water.​

Possible giant lichen orb weaver

Orb weaver spiders are common in Pennsylvania and contribute significantly to the local ecosystem, said several internet reports. 

I believed the other two spiders I had recently photographed were also orb weavers.

A possible shamrock spider had netted a dragonfly dinner in its web located near the neighbor's pond. ​

​"The quickest way to recognize the shamrock spider from other garden orb weavers, is the white bands on the legs. Not all the shamrock spiders have these white bands, but when you do see the white bands, it is likely an Araneus trifolium," said a post on usaspiders.com.

Another spider attempted to hide from being photographed.

​After an internet search, I decided that the curled up arachnid could be a giant lichen orb weaver. 
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Reports indicated that the spider is primarily found in the eastern United states and southeaster Canada.

​The orb weaver thrives in forests and areas with abundant lichen. 

​While orb weavers are beautiful web artists, we sometimes don’t get to see their work until it is in the right light.
​That’s just the nature of things round here.