Rare Sighting: Male Red Legged Purseweb Spider

bugman

September 18th, 2011 at 5:42 pm

Categories

What’s this bug, please?
Location: Central Virginia
September 18, 2011 4:22 pm
Looked and could not find this one id’d anywhere. Any idea what it might be?
Signature: Kkildea

Red Legged Purseweb Spider

Dear Kkildea,
Your photo has really brightened our day. This is a male Red Legged Purseweb Spider, Sphodros rufipes, and only the males have the signature red legs. Females rarely leave their pursewebs, and the males wander about in search of a mate. When we first ran a post on this species in 2003, we reported that they were considered rare and possibly endangered. Most of our reports come in June, so this September sighting is unusual. Purseweb Spiders are primitive spiders related to Tarantulas and Trapdoor Spiders, and they are not considered to be dangerous to humans.

Comments 3

theadob wrote:
My friend Kathy posted this for me. It was found in South Point, Ohio a couple weeks ago.
Posted 18 Sep 2011 at 6:00 pm ¶
theadob wrote:
Midst of what I read about this species was that it’s an 8 legged spider. This had 10 legs. Is it still the same type.
Posted 18 Sep 2011 at 6:03 pm ¶
bugman wrote:
Thanks for the additional information. The pedipalps are the fifth pair of appendages, but they are not true legs. They are usually black, not red Also, your photo was taken on a reflective surface which may be confusing you.
Posted 19 Sep 2011 at 8:01 am ¶