What Is It?

By MDC | September 1, 2023
From Xplor: September/October 2023
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  • I weave my net to catch flies.
  • Like an angler who fishes the skies.
  • I have eight legs and eight eyes.
  • When it frosts, I’ll bid my goodbyes.
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Spotted Orbweavers

Spotted orbweavers are hairy and scary but harmless. They weave sticky, wheel-shaped webs to catch flying insects to eat. During summer, orbweavers eat their webs each morning and build new ones at night. This keeps wasps and other predators from using the webs to find a spider for a snack. In the fall, female orbweavers need extra energy for egg laying, so they leave webs up during the day. When frosts arrive, adult spiders die, but their eggs hatch the following spring.

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Regal Fritillary
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Let Xplor be your guide on a fall hike through Missouri’s glorious grasslands

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Mountain Lion
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Creep closer for a sneak peek at Missouri’s most mysterious visitor.

This Issue's Staff

Photographer – Noppadol Paothong
Photographer – David Stonner
Designer – Marci Porter
Designer – Les Fortenberry
Art Director – Cliff White
Editor – Matt Seek
Magazine Manager – Stephanie Thurber