Yan Bingwu (Chinese, B. 1954) & Yang Wenqing (Chinese, B. 1951) "Yellow Garden Spider" Signed lower right. Watercolor on Silk/Rice Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the 33c Yellow Garden Spider Classic Collection Series stamp issued October 1, 1999. Identified by the distinctive pattern of its yellow and black abdomen, the Yellow Garden Spider is found throughout most of the continental United States. This spider suspends its vertical web in trees, bushes or any area or opening where insects are abundant. Woven in circular fashion, the web is designed to radiate outward from the center. The Yellow Garden Spider typically hangs upside down at the center of the web, where it patiently waits for a flying or jumping insect to become ensnared. Because of its poor eyesight, the Yellow Garden Spider must rely on its highly-developed sense of touch to capture its prey. The struggle of an insect caught in the web creates vibrations, alerting the spider that prey has been trapped. The spider quickly runs out to secure its victim, usually wrapping it in silk. A poison is injected into the prey, paralyzing it and converting the contents of the body to liquid. Later, the spider sinks its tubelike fangs into the victim to extract the fluid. The Yellow Garden Spider's profound sense of touch helps male spiders communicate with females. Before the male crawls cautiously onto the female's web, he first taps out a special message to alert her, because he is always in danger of being mistaken for prey. Size: 14.25 x 12 in. Unframed. (B16493)