SPIDERS

Of the fifty or so spiders described from the Galapagos, there are two main groups: the orbweavers and the hunting spiders. Hunting spiders are most often seen around houses, often at night when they chase insects attracted to lights. Orbweavers fit our concept of a typical spider and build large circular webs. These are the spiders most often seen along nature trails.

The spider web is a marvel of nature. This orbweaver web stretches across a trail, illuminated by morning sun. It was mostly likely constructed by Neoscona cookoni (see below).

This spider is an orb weaver (Neoscona cookoni), probably the species responsible for the type of web in the above picture.