10 Sep, 2007
Spider web engulfs Texas park trail
WILLS POINT, Texas -- Entomologists are debating the origin and rarity of a sprawling spider web that blankets several trees, shrubs and the ground along a 200-yard stretch of trail in a North Texas park.
Officials at Lake Tawakoni State Park say the massive mosquito trap is a big attraction for some visitors, while others won't go anywhere near it.
"At first, it was so white it looked like fairyland," said Donna Garde, superintendent of the park about 45 miles east of Dallas. "Now it's filled with so many mosquitoes that it's turned a little brown. There are times you can literally hear the screech of millions of mosquitoes caught in those webs."
Spider experts say the web may have been constructed by social cobweb spiders, which work together, or could be the result of a mass dispersal in which the arachnids spin webs to spread out from one another.
Herbert A. "Joe" Pase, a Texas Forest Service entomologist, said the massive web is very unusual.
"From what I'm hearing it could be a once-in-a-lifetime event," he said.
Garde invited the entomologists out to the park to get a firsthand look at the giant web.
"Somebody needs to come out that's an expert. I would love to see some entomology intern come out and study this," she said.
Park rangers said they expect the web to last until fall, when the spiders will start dying off.
photo: images.google.com & story seattlepi.nwsource.com, 9/6/07
Cool web sight
Job 8:13-15 (NLT)
13 The same happens to all who forget God.
The hopes of the godless evaporate.
14 Their confidence hangs by a thread.
They are leaning on a spider’s web.
15 They cling to their home for security, but it won’t last.
They try to hold it tight, but it will not endure.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about security?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain:
8:14-15 Bildad wrongly assumed that Job was trusting in something other than God for security, so he pointed out that such supports will collapse. One of people's basic needs is security, and many will do almost anything to feel secure. Eventually, however, our money, possessions, knowledge, and relationships will fail or be gone. Only God can give lasting security. What have you trusted for your security? How lasting is it? If you have a secure foundation with God, feelings of insecurity will not undermine you.
The "things" of this world can get us tangled up in a sense of false security, sort of like a spider's web.
In Christ and Christ alone, we are secure now and forever.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Let God's Spirit show you the earthly ways you are looking for security. Now let Jesus remove this false web of entanglement from your life.
- Whenever you see a spider's web, let Jesus remind you to not get caught in this world's web.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture to others?
Think of one person in your storysphere who is really interested in learning more about God's Story. Send him or her the photo in today's story and share what God is teaching you about the need for His security rather than getting tangled up in what this world offers.
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