Orb-Weaving Spiders

Charlotte A. Cavatica was a barn spider, a rather nondescript arachnid of the orb-weaver persuasion. Ah, but Charlotte’s loyalty and smarts outshone her rather plain looks in E.B. White’s book Charlotte’s Web.

Her thoughtfulness and creativity saved the life of her porcine friend Wilbur, who faced the imminent threat of being turned into bacon. Charlotte, as you are likely aware, inscribed “Some Pig” into her web, which had the salutary effect of making Wilbur a celebrity. People came far and wide in tribute to his greatness.  

Other words followed: “Terrific,” “Radiant,” “Humble.” Wilbur’s fame grew. Eventually farmer Homer Zuckerman, Wilbur’s owner, is persuaded not to slaughter Wilbur. Instead, clemency is granted allowing the gifted pig to live out his days in barnyard bliss.

But the real gifted character in this tale was obviously Charlotte. She was the humble behind-the-scenes mover responsible for Wilbur’s fame and salvation.

Few orb-weaving spiders have the off-the-charts abilities of Charlotte. But all of them deserve our notice and admiration. Though Charlotte’s literacy is unique, other spiders like her in the Araneidae family are all skilled web weavers.

They spin intricate orb webs of great beauty and the cool, dewy mornings of late summer and earliest fall offer the best opportunities to appreciate them, as I write in my book Nature Where We Live: “I shiver in the cool air as the first rays of the sun peek over a nearby hill to reveal spider webs glistening with dew. The webs hang like fishing nets between asters and goldenrods, some with their architects clinging to their centres. They are exquisite works of art.”

In contrast to the earthy colours of a barn spider like Charlotte, some of those architects are gloriously hued. But though prettier, they can’t compete with Charlotte’s selfless altruism.