That's really kind of you to say so Chris, but blimey, 'chorion'???? I had to look that up
On the off-chance there just might be someone else reading this, who like me hadn't heard the term before, here's the definition I found:
'In reptiles, birds, and monotremes, the chorion is one of the four extraembryonic membranes that make up the amniotic egg that provide for the nutrients and protection needed for the embryo's survival. It is located inside the albumin, which is the white of the egg. It encloses the embryo and the rest of the embryonic system. The chorion is also present in insects. During growth and development of the embryo, there is an increased need for oxygen. To compensate for this, the chorion and the allantois fuse together to form the chorioallantoic membrane. Together these form a double membrane, which functions to remove carbon dioxide and to replenish oxygen through the porous shell. At the time of hatching, the fetus becomes detached from the chorion as it emerges from the shell. '
I'm not going to forget that in a hurry
- oh, and the answer is no, it didn't
Hi David - strange isn't it. Not sure that it's connected but I've seen more spiders this season than I can recall seeing. Perhaps other predators are having a good year too? I've only seen 6, possibly 7.
25 August
Thought it was about time I checked on those Glanville webs. The hole in the hibernation web had been sealed up and it looked like the whole structure had been reinforced. I remember thinking that it must be quite hot inside there in the record-breaking temperatures. The active web from my last visit had been discarded and close by were 2 smaller active webs with seemingly smaller numbers of larva inside – perhaps this again was temperature related. Also in the vicinity was yet another web which had clearly been used as it contained what appeared to be many tiny shed skins?