I went for a walk on one of our many trails in the county last week. This time it was the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Trail over by the Aquarium. I was surprised at how many spiders I saw along the way. Not the little spiders, but the very large golden silk orb-weavers (Nephila clavipes or Trichonephila clavipes). Some of the large webs for this spider went across the trail between two trees. Most of the time I saw the web before I walked into it, but one time I wasn’t so lucky and I got a string across the face.

I bring this up to say that spiders play an important role in controlling the population of other insects. Be kind to the spiders and they will help control mosquitoes and yellow biting flies that can sometimes make being outside uncomfortable.

If you haven’t taken a walk in the woods this year, make time to enjoy one of our many trails during this the year of the trail in North Carolina.