Here is the setting - a new Nephila philipes with a couple of Argyrodes in mid-invasion. Surprise, there is a male Nephila as well as a male Argyrodes
Here is the female Nephila with a male Argyrodes to the left
A female Argyrodes
Close communion - a female Argyrodes adjacent to the front leg of the female Nephila
The context
Here is the male Argyrodes to the far left and the male Nephila closer to the female - his black palps are just visible
Another view of the male Nephila
The male Argyrodes
Here the male Nephila palps look like black headlights
Here the male is approaching the female
and just touches her spinneret
Whammo - she is not ready for this - at least just now
and off he goes to the left - a female Nephila brushoff
He starts his getaway - successfully
Here he is with his black palps - with a Argyrodes to the far left
I returned to the site of the black color morph - and here she is, minus 2 legs with with several invading Argyrodes
Here she is - a different perspective
and a male Argyrodes
Here is another color morph - with 4 invading Argyrodes and vivid golden silk
C. Frank Starmer