Exotic Invertebrates, True Spiders, and Tarantulas

[Michiko_Dreads]

I should stay out of the sex forum.

I read this as "Erotic Invertebrates"

that makes three of us

[jynxxxedangel]

For all those who have ever been under the impression that Opilionids (Harvestmen) have fangs and/or are poisonous, check this out:

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The jaws are actually like tiny crab's claws, and they use them to macerate their prey, rather than to invenomate. The juices are then sucked up through a proboscis of sorts. This common arachnid's method of feeding is very similar to that of a Solfugid, also known as Camel Spider, or Sun Spider.

Equally cool is how they can shed their legs, and close off the remaining wound with special muscle flaps.

Edited September 24, 2008 by jynxxxedangel

[GothicRavenGoddess (3)]

Chris sent these to me.

What's your take on that last one?

[jynxxxedangel]

Chris sent these to me.

What's your take on that last one?

The dragonfly, I'm not sure..I'd need a better photo to ID it.

The first spider is most likely Hogna carolinensis, or common Wolf spider.

The second spider appears to be an Araneus diadematus (Cross Spider), or Argiope species. People call Argiopes "Writing Spiders," because of the interesting accents at the centers of their webs. These accents are actually ultraviolet beacons, to attract insects. There are many large spiders which weave orb webs native to Michigan.

Edited September 24, 2008 by jynxxxedangel

[Guest greyhalo]

The dragonfly, I'm not sure..I'd need a better photo to ID it.

The first spider is most likely Hogna carolinensis, or common Wolf spider.

The second spider appears to be an Araneus diadematus (Cross Spider), or Argiope species. People call Argiopes "Writing Spiders," because of the interesting accents at the centers of their webs. These accents are actually ultraviolet beacons, to attract insects. There are many large spiders which weave orb webs native to Michigan.

You have to stop posting spider pics. Pretty soon I'll have spider pets too. I already have too many pets.

[jynxxxedangel]

Would you like one, greyhalo??

I have a spare decent-size juvenile female P. audax, and an extra Kritter Keeper. All you would have to do to maintain her is: give her flies or small crickets, lightly mist one side of the cage every once in awhile, and pick out the dead bugs from time to time with long tweezers.

The easiest and coolest pets EVER!!

[Guest greyhalo]

Would you like one, greyhalo??

I have a spare decent-size juvenile female P. audax, and an extra Kritter Keeper. All you would have to do to maintain her is: give her flies or small crickets, lightly mist one side of the cage every once in awhile, and pick out the dead bugs from time to time with long tweezers.

The easiest and coolest pets EVER!!

I'm tempted. But, I just got a flying squirrel last weekend. He's a handful.

A spider might make a good work pet though. The kids could learn about them too...

[jynxxxedangel]

A spider makes a terrific library or classroom pet!!!!!

Phidippus audax are diurnal spiders, so she would remain awake and active during the day, while the children are there. This little girl is always ready to eat, too (spider eating=entertainment)! She will take at least two flies a day, at the moment. I think the kids would get a huge kick out of a pet spider.

[Guest greyhalo]

A spider makes a terrific library or classroom pet!!!!!

Phidippus audax are diurnal spiders, so she would remain awake and active during the day, while the children are there. This little girl is always ready to eat, too (spider eating=entertainment)! She will take at least two flies a day, at the moment. I think the kids would get a huge kick out of a pet spider.

I will ask my boss...

[jynxxxedangel]

Make sure he knows it's a native species, and harmless. If it were to get loose, it would be no problem.

[GothicRavenGoddess (3)]

This is all the same spider. TheLordOfSins sent this to me, from his camera phone. lol

I wish they weren't so blurry, but I know its hard to sometimes get a good shot.

Edited September 26, 2008 by GothicRavenGoddess

[jynxxxedangel]

Definitely a large, PREGNANT female Araneus diadematus!!! Keep an eye on her-- she'll be laying an egg sac in the nearest chink to where she builds her webby!

[GothicRavenGoddess (3)]

I'll let them know. I think that it was in his boss's porch or something. They have small animals should they be worried about them being hurt, by this spider, or should they try and relocate her?

[jynxxxedangel]

I came across something VERY fascinating last night-- information and paintings regarding a Central American species of jumping spider, which lives mostly on ACACIA TREE SAP!!! This is the only spider known to exhibit this behaviour!

It has a cool name, as well: "Bagheera kiplingi", named after Rudyard Kipling, and the panther character from his "Jungle Book."

Here are some detailed paintings of both male and female: Bagheera kiplingi

I'm assuming this is another fascinating spider which isn't well-researched, by the lack of information and pictures on the internet. Damn, I wish I had the money to travel-- I'd go on a spider expedition!

EDIT: GRRRRRRR!!!!! Seems as if none of my links are working these days..WTF is going ON??? I'll fix, as soon as I figure out the major malfunction.

Edited September 26, 2008 by jynxxxedangel

[Head Wreck]

spider month almost over and still no charge lead....

and tomorow is the steam festival too *sobs*

[jynxxxedangel]

I'll let them know. I think that it was in his boss's porch or something. They have small animals should they be worried about them being hurt, by this spider, or should they try and relocate her?

Noooo, not at all..in fact, she will keep all the flies and mosquitoes away. These spiders are completely non-aggressive (most of the time, they will scuttle away if bothered), and their venom is not deadly or even dangerous to humans (unless they are one of those people who is sensitive to any venom).

Ok, here's the picture I took of one last summer..notice the cross on her back-- it's how this species gets its Latin name.

Edited September 26, 2008 by jynxxxedangel

[jynxxxedangel]

Hooray!! My little red-morph girl (whom I have christened "Azrhiaz," after one of my favorite Tanith Lee characters) has finished her 8th moult, and has come out from her cocoon.

She sure is a beaut! She just keeps getting larger and larger.. After about two or three more moults, she will be a full-fledged adult.

Edited September 29, 2008 by jynxxxedangel

[Head Wreck]

Noooo, not at all..in fact, she will keep all the flies and mosquitoes away. These spiders are completely non-aggressive (most of the time, they will scuttle away if bothered), and their venom is not deadly or even dangerous to humans (unless they are one of those people who is sensitive to any venom).

Ok, here's the picture I took of one last summer..notice the cross on her back-- it's how this species gets its Latin name.

we call those cross spiders or garden spiders.

very harmless and very prolific here. no reported bites at all (i know as i pick up lots and move them when doing things in the garden

[jynxxxedangel]

Here's my Platycryptus undatus eating a fly. I had a difficult time finding exactly which bugs she likes to eat, and this time, I picked a winner!! She went right after it as soon as I tossed it into her en

Platys are very shy little jumping spiders, and undoubtedly picky eaters. They live on unkempt wooden structures and wood piles, in their natural habitat.

[jynxxxedangel]

As promised-- Northern Black Widow spiders, for laymen. These spiders are not as large as one would be led to believe. The following blurb is from the DNR website:

"Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus)

The version found in Michigan is called the northern black widow spider. These spiders are not nearly as large as many people think. The body of the female spider is about ½-inch long (1½-inch long including the legs). Males are smaller. Black widow spiders are black, shiny and have a very round abdomen. Females have a red spot (often shaped like an hourglass) on the underside of its abdomen. The male lacks the red hourglass marking but may have yellow and red bands and spots over the back.

Black widow spiders are common around woodpiles and are frequently encountered when homeowners carry firewood into the house. They may also be found under eaves, in boxes, outdoor toilets, meter boxes and other undisturbed places. While they may bite when touched or harmed, they are not aggressive. Be very careful when working around areas where black widow spiders may live. Wear gloves and pay attention to where you are working. Black widow bites are sharp and painful, and the victim should go to the doctor immediately for treatment. To control the black widow, carefully remove all materials where they might hide. They can be cleaned out of an area simply by knocking down the webs, spiders, and round tan egg sacs with a stick and crushing them underfoot. "

Here is the male:

Here is the female:

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Of course, the underside of her abdomen bears the characteristic widow's red hourglass:

[jynxxxedangel]

Bump..

I don't want any of my friends or theirs being bitten by dangerous spiders this fall! The prior post was prompted by me having found a male Northern Black Widow in my wood pile (in Wixom!!), while getting a basket of firewood-- so this is a desperate attempt to prevent people and pets in the Metro Detroit area from being seriously injured!

Edited October 2, 2008 by jynxxxedangel

[eleven]

I have had crickets before...and they are icky.... i prefer working with roaches

spiders are awesome unless they are little and within 5 ft of my bed...they make me itchy

[jynxxxedangel]

Crickets are the spawn of Lilith. I don't like to breed them, as they give me the jimmies. I used to be skeert of spiders, but I got over that fear, as they have shown themselves to be one of my spirit totems.

[Head Wreck]

very concerning week.

2 false widows in my armoury and i flattened one in the house also (sorry, but i have an 18 month old nephew running about). their not supposed to have spread this far yet.

other oddity of late, I've not identified this booger yet. He's been re homed in the new shed i built.

[Simon Bar Sinister]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24540...5009760,00.html

photo of an orb weaver eating a bird.