SPIDERS

Types: Hobo, Brown Reclusive, Black Widow

Organism, mostly terrestrial, of the class Arachnida with four pairs of legs and a two-part body consisting of a cephalothorax, or prosoma, and an unsegmented abdomen, or opisthosoma. The cephalothorax is covered by a shield, or carapace, and bears eight simple eyes. On the underside of the head (the cephalic part of the cephalothorax) are two pairs of appendages, the anterior pair called chelicerae and the second pair pedipalps, with which the spider captures and paralyzes its prey, injecting into it venom produced in the poison glands. The spider then liquefies the tissues of the prey with a digestive fluid and sucks this broth into its stomach where it may be stored in a digestive gland. Breathing is by means of tracheae (air tubes) or book lungs , or both. Arachnid book lungs are similar to the gill books of horseshoe crabs but are internal and adapted to a terrestrial habitat. Three pairs of spinnerets toward the tip of the abdomen produce protein-containing fluids that harden as they are drawn out to form silk threads. Several kinds of silk glands and spinnerets produce different kinds of silk used variously for constructing cocoons or egg sacs, spinning webs, and binding prey; other light strands are spun out for ballooning, or floating, the spiders, especially young ones, long distances on air currents. Spider silk is used for the cross hairs in certain optical instruments. Spiders live chiefly on insects and other arthropods; some large spiders ensnare and kill small snakes, birds, and mammals. Many are cannibalistic; the female may eat the male when courtship and mating are completed. Young, growing spiders can regenerate missing legs and parts of legs. Several species of spiders have bites that are exceptionally painful, or even dangerous to humans. Species of black widow spiders, which are found in the warmer parts of the world including the United States and S Canada, have a virulent neurotoxic venom. The bite venom of the brown recluse spider of SE and S central United States decomposes tissue, resulting in slow healing and sometimes leaving a sunken scar as large as a quarter. Among the more interesting spiders are the tarantula ; its relative the trap-door spider , which ambushes its prey from a silk-lined burrow covered by a hinged lid; the orb weavers, which spin beautiful circular webs; and the crab spider, jumping spider, and wolf spider, named for their habits. Spiders are classified in the phylum Arthropoda , class Arachnida, order Araneae.

Hobo Spiders

Vary from ½" to 1 ¾" in body length, with dark brown carapace. The abdomen has a chevron pattern that often fades in older specimens. The hobo spider actually helps control many insect pests. During late summer the male travels about looking for mates. Hobo spiders bite when startled or threatened. What starts as a small spider bite can grow into a large wound as its powerful venom slowly kills the flesh. Hobo spiders spin a distinct, dense, funnel-shaped web, typically along foundations, in woodpiles, stacked equipment, or yard waste. The hobo spider rarely climbs high on vertical surfaces, so search low to the ground. Hobo spiders do not create all funnel-shaped webs, but treat them all carefully. Wear gloves when working in the yard, cleaning your basement, or reaching into dark areas.

 

 

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