科學圖說

散發母性光輝：綠貓蛛
(Glorifying Motherhood: Peucetia formosensis)

許多動物的母親，從交配、護卵到育幼的過程扮演主導角色，當然綠貓蛛媽媽也不例外！
綠貓蛛媽媽在產卵時，會以絲將卵包覆住形成卵囊（ 圖中棕色球狀物，直徑約2公分），並且不眠不休地呵護，即使尋找食物也是在一定範圍內，隨時防患並趕走入侵者。幼蛛孵化後會先在卵囊附近的巢絲間遊走，以得到蜘蛛媽媽的保護，直到成長蛻皮後，才隨風飄散，開始獨立新生活。夏末初秋之際，如果在野外林間草叢見到牠們時，可要好好地觀察一番！ 

In the animal kingdom, females play  a dominant role in raising offspring, from mating to protection. Peucetia formosensis mothers are no exception.
They create a cocoon for their eggs using silk-like thread (spherical object of 2 cm in diameter in this image). This female keeps guard over her young. Even when foraging, she does not go far, so that she can quickly drive away any invaders. Once the spiders hatch, they stay near the cocoon to continue to receive their mother’s protection. Once they have grown and molted, they are scattered by the wind to start new and independent lives. If you are in a forest area in late summer or early fall, you may have the chance to observe them.