Little tiny Pip the spider is one of two spiders belonging to Amber Rust Hive, she's very small now, but one day when she's bigger she'll replace her older counterpart.
The brood comb is nice and warm for a nap.
Painted with the GIMP.
The brood comb is nice and warm for a nap.
Painted with the GIMP.
Category Artwork (Digital) / Fantasy
Species Unspecified / Any
Gender Any
Size 920 x 900px
I need you to try this now!
Also, take pictures please!
OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN
Also, take pictures please!
OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN
I have an insectophobia, so this freaks me out, but it's so cool at the same time, and spiders are the most bearable out of any insect, especially Tarantulas. 3=
Let me rephrase; Bugophobia.
Happy?
I don't have arachnophobia, just insectophobia, Spiders creep me out just a little bit, but not as much as the other bugs.
Happy?
I don't have arachnophobia, just insectophobia, Spiders creep me out just a little bit, but not as much as the other bugs.
Stop trying to be a smartass and trying to start drama and get away from me already.
I'm not trying to be a smart ass. I corrected you and you got huffy. And you continue to get huffy. You responded to me further, putting you in contact with me again when you want me to "get away from (you) already". This is also the source of the drama you are perceiving, that I did not start or perpetuate. Calm down.
Wow this is very nicely done, and very interesting concept. :D Spider cuteness.
Also now I'm curious, and my late-night detective skills are failing me. Are the spiders symbiotic with the Amber Rust bees, parasitic, or just a genetic variant of the former? Any of the above would be pretty interesting!
The spiders and other Melliferians that aren't bees are kind of chimerical frankenstein creatures created by the bees. They take the egg or larva of an arthropod they want the useful traits of, place it inside one of their own eggs, and exploit the healing effects of a magic fluid in their bodies to fuse the two together. If all goes well, the egg hatches and a non-bee Melliferian is born.
Reading this:
"Huh interesting I've never heard of this spec- wait. Oh. Ohhh, they aren't real."
"Huh interesting I've never heard of this spec- wait. Oh. Ohhh, they aren't real."
"These babies are so cute sometimes I just want to eat them up!" *spider drool* "Oh I'm sorry that keeps happening for some reason!" *wipes mouth, spider grin* ::::3
What role to the golden orb spider Melliferians serve? My guess is aid in general construction as well as placing defensive web screens to keep out unwanted guests. Plus it never hurts to have a larger spider on your side if said guests become a bit of a handful.
The spiders make blankets, bags and ropes as well as insulation used in the hive construction and nets for various uses.
The spiders are pretty hit or miss when it comes to defense actually. The spiders, unlike other non-bees, can digest something other than honey so they are never really stuck there. They tend to be independent and impossible to really order around. They are like cats that way - commands are always treated as suggestions. So if the bees ever wanted the spider to deal with someone, they'd have to prepare to hear back, "I don't feel like it." (unless she's being threatened directly, of course)
The spiders are pretty hit or miss when it comes to defense actually. The spiders, unlike other non-bees, can digest something other than honey so they are never really stuck there. They tend to be independent and impossible to really order around. They are like cats that way - commands are always treated as suggestions. So if the bees ever wanted the spider to deal with someone, they'd have to prepare to hear back, "I don't feel like it." (unless she's being threatened directly, of course)
Using spider webbing for insulation is an excellent idea. My dad started raising bees last year, and one of his hives practically died out from a cold snap this spring.
I wonder what incentives the bees could offer spiders. Comparatively luxurious living conditions would be my main guess, but I also suspect that the bees breed future spiders from those that have shown to be more inclined to taking orders, creating a bloodline of comparatively obedient spiders.
I wonder what incentives the bees could offer spiders. Comparatively luxurious living conditions would be my main guess, but I also suspect that the bees breed future spiders from those that have shown to be more inclined to taking orders, creating a bloodline of comparatively obedient spiders.
Since all the non-bees are chimerical creatures made from the eggs of the bees, and the results are always sterile, they can't breed them. So if a certain kind of non-bee comes out a certain way, they just have to deal with that.
As you guess, they motivate the spiders with a cushy lifestyle. They also provide an environment where they can display mastery of their skills and receive social recognition, which the spiders like. When the bees have done things right, their spider considers the welfare of the hive to be in her best interests and wants to see it prosper. But they can't necessarily bet on the spider sacrificing herself for the hive. She may, but on the other hand, she may wait and see if the bees can handle it themselves, figuring it safer to risk having a harder lifestyle catching birds in the woods to risking her life.
As you guess, they motivate the spiders with a cushy lifestyle. They also provide an environment where they can display mastery of their skills and receive social recognition, which the spiders like. When the bees have done things right, their spider considers the welfare of the hive to be in her best interests and wants to see it prosper. But they can't necessarily bet on the spider sacrificing herself for the hive. She may, but on the other hand, she may wait and see if the bees can handle it themselves, figuring it safer to risk having a harder lifestyle catching birds in the woods to risking her life.
This is ridiculously adorable, especially little details like the tiny crossed spider-feet ;-;
I'm a major arachnophobe, and I'm not a fan of bees/wasps/hornets/yellow jackets/whatever else, but this is a REALLY well-done picture. Wonderful job.
Now.. do I dare hit +Favorite..?
Now.. do I dare hit +Favorite..?
Very beautiful, makes me want to be a little bee/spider.
I'm terrified of bees, and terrified of spiders, but this is absolutely lovely :)
i see someone else asked the questions i was going to ask. this is making these hives so much more awesome
This is magical, i really enjoy the way you made this to look like the rising sun is warming the cone.
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