EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

22-28 January 2018

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The Mystery Zig-Zag Web

Unknown Spider's Web
Puerto Varas, Chile

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation:  Who is this?  I have had no luck trying to identify the type of spider that wove this crazy chaotic web.  

This week we are exploring Alerce Park as part of Monumento Natural Lahuen Nadi, just outside the city of Puerto Varas in southern Chile, south America.  This natural forest park contains many local native plants, birds, and invertebrates.  But this one puzzles me.

Usually, you can identify the general type of spider by its web design.  Even if "old-age spiders" start weaving more chaotic webs, there's nothing I've seen that produces this kind of web.  

    

This is another angle of the same web in the main photo, above.
I searched for the spider but none was to be seen.
Perhaps it was hiding nearby, and/or nocturnal.
  

           

Next week's picture:  Hummingbird Tongues

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