August: Week 4

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A funnel spider waits for its prey     ​

Spiders, Spiders, Everywhere   Before the leaves fall this autumn, search for a small spider that uses them for camouflage from both predators and prey. This spider is a funnel weaver, and it uses its silk to create a cocoon-shaped web that is often wrapped up in a leaf.     The spider hides in one side of this clever funnel web and waits for an insect to walk past the other end. When it’s prey passes by, the spider feels the vibration and grabs its food with lightening speed. Look for the unusual web of this spider spun in low leaves, shrubs, and window wells. If you peek into its funnel, you should just be able to make out the spider waiting at the other end.     Did you know?   Studies have shown that you are never more than 10 feet away from a spider! But don’t worry, this is a fact to celebrate. Without spiders, populations of insects such as mosquitoes, gnats, and flies would be out of control, birds and other small creatures would be missing meals, and hummingbirds would not have the silk that holds their nests together.     Learn more: University of Minnesota Extension

 

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Cattails Begin to Fluff   Spikes of cattail flowers will soon turn to puffy seeds around Minister Lake. These seeds are connected to fluffy hairs that help the wind disperse them. Any seeds that aren’t blown away by next spring will be used by songbirds to line their nests. In fact, the entire cattail plant is used by various wetland creatures for shelter, food, or both. Red-winged blackbirds, geese, and ducks are a few of the bird species that nest among the nine-foot tall plant. The muskrat is another creature that depends upon the cattail. It nibbles on the tasty roots, and uses the leaves and stalks to build its lodge.   Not only is this plant important to wetland species, but humans have long eaten its roots, young shoots, and pollen and used the cattail's dried leaves to make baskets, furniture, paper, and string.   Did you know?   Just one cattail plant can produce 250,000 seeds!  Learn more: Robert Freckmann Herbarium