Subject: Mysterious Cellar Spiders Covered in White
Location: Castine, Maine
September 4, 2012 3:55 pm
bugman,
I have read a few of the comments concerning the mysterious spiders apparently covered with a white frosty-looking substance. I have seen these in Maine, and am cleaning a few pictures of them off of my desktop. The ones I saw were definitely dead, as I could touch them with a stick with no reaction.
Signature: Andrew
Fungus-Ridden Spider
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for your first-hand observations and photographs of this Fungus-Ridden Spider phenomenon. One of our most frequently commented upon postings has sparked a debate on whether these spiders are dead or alive. We maintain it is a fungus infection and it is possible that some of the spiders might not have completely expired, but they have not long for this world. We believe the fungus might attack the spiders while alive, but death shortly follows.
Fungus-Ridden Spiders in the basement!!!
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Bug of the Month April 2010: Cellar Spider with Fungus
Fungus Riddled Spider
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I was trying to figure out what the creepy white spiders in our basement are. Then I happened upon this site. These are the exact, ALIVE, spiders we have in the basement of our 1930′s new England home. I assure you they are very much alive! Are they dangerous?
In our opinion, they are dying if not already dead and they are not dangerous.
I have this exact same thing in my basement. There are literally hundreds of them. fyi I live in north central Wisconsin.
It would appear that this fungus disease will spread throughout a population of spiders in a confined location based on your comment and others that we have received.
I just read of a fungus that is a natural pesticide called beauveria bassiana. It apparently kills bugs, then grows on the carcass & waits for it’s next bug victim. Perhaps that is what is going on with these spiders?
Thanks for your comment
I have thousands of these under my house. the house is on a brick laid foundation by the river in central Wisconsin. I do live in this house with my husband and 3 small children we do end up with a LOT of wolf spiders in the home. Is there any concerns that I should be aware of.
While we expect there are many concerns, the Wolf Spiders and Fungus Ridden Spiders should not cause you any problems.