rss Another unknown spider
Location: Nicaragua, Managua, El Crucero ( 12° 3’45.68”N – 86°18’51.68”W)
January 30, 2012 5:47 pm
Dear Bugman,
Can you tell me what’s that spider I found in mi kitchen?
Signature: Sergiortc
Huntsman Spider
Dear Sergiotc,
We believe this is a Giant Crab Spider in the family Sparassidae, a group sometimes called Huntsman Spiders.
resubmitting pictures
Location: Scotrun, PA USA
January 23, 2012 10:26 am
found this bug on the outside of our door on 9/24/11. Temp was around 77 and sunny. the yellow body was about 1/2” overall.
Signature: Jean
Arrowshaped Micrathena
Hi Jean,
This pretty little spider is a harmless Arrowshaped Micrathena, Micrathena sagittata. According to BugGuide, it spins its small webs in open woods.
thank you ever so much for identifying this spider, it really is very pretty.
Golden Orb identified
Location: Spring, TX
December 18, 2011 1:44 am
Dear Mr. Bugman,
Thanks to your site and past archives, I’ve think I’ve identified my backdoor friend. I’ve got lots of pictures of her, but this is my latest AND COOLEST! I’m assuming she’s laying her eggs and wrapping them in sort of protection?? I’ll attach pictures first, but would like to know if you take video clips as well? I have her in action!
Signature: Thanks, Melanie
Golden Orbweaver Laying Eggs
Hi Melanie,
Thank you for sending us your images of a Golden Orbweaver laying her eggs. She protects the clutch in a thick silken sac that helps the eggs to withstand the elements in harsher climates. Your post will go live during a brief holiday from the office.
Golden Orbweaver laying Eggs
Cool looking Bug!
Location: Chang Mai, Thailand
December 1, 2011 5:11 am
Found this crazy bug in Chang Mai, Thailand in May this year.
Signature: Mike S
Spiny Orbweaver
Dear Mike,
Your bug is actually a Spider known as a Spiny Orbweaver. We believe we have correctly identified it as Gasteracantha arcuata on FlickRiver. There are also some nice images on the PhotoMalaysia website. It is believed that the spines discourage birds and other predators from trying to eat Spiny Orbweavers.
Unknown Silver-Black Spider from Nepal
Location: Nepal, Bandipur
December 22, 2011 12:51 pm
Could you help to identify this big spider?
May be a Silver Orb Spider ???
Found: 18. Oct. 2011, on an external, insect-trapping web.
Signature: Jürgen J. Müller
Orbweaver
Hello Jürgen,
Our research did not turn up anything conclusive. We agree that this is an Orbweaver, and it might be in the genus Argiope. Perhaps in the future, we will be able to provide a more specific identification.
Hotel Spider
Location: Wilmington, NC
December 23, 2011 1:18 pm
Dear Bugman,
I am a flight attendant and therefore get to see a wide variety of bugs, welcome or not, both on and off the airplanes. This little guy was sharing a room with me in North Carolina. I have been bitten in the past many times in hotels by many things but wanted to know if this guy is a threat or helpful roommate.
Signature: Kelly
Parson Spider
Hi Kelly,
The Parson Spider in your photo is considered a harmless species. They are Ground Spiders that do not build a web to snare prey.
BIG spider in Angola
Location: Kikuxi, Luanda, Angola
December 22, 2011 12:38 am
We found this huge spider in our courtyard in Angola, and we just photographed it and left it alone. Later, I wondered whether it was poisonous. I put a match stick in the picture to help with size.
Signature: Dawn in Angola
Unknown Spider from Angola
Dear Dawn,
Almost all spiders have venom, but very few have venom that is toxic enough to be a threat to humans. We do not recognize your spider, but we are posting your letter and photo in the hope that we might someday identify this interesting looking creature. Perhaps our readership might be able to provide an identification as well.
Karl provides an identification: December 29, 2011
Hi Daniel and Dawn:
It looks like a Nursery Web Spider (Pisauridae), perhaps in the genus Euprosthenops. By all accounts they are harmless to humans. Regards. Karl
Dock Spider with Egg Nest
Location: Haliburton County, Ontario, Canada
November 18, 2011 4:20 pm
I sat for almost an hour waiting for this shot. This was taken on a dock in Haliburton County, Ontario, Canada. She is absolutely gorgeous. The context is that the space she is sitting in is alomost 4” wide. We have always called them Dock spiders but it would be great to know if they have another name.
Signature: Scott
Fishing Spider with her Nursery Web
Dear Scott,
We try not to think too much about the letters that go unanswered, though we know that there are probably numerous overlooked gems that our readers will find interesting. Today, we had a bit of time and we are randomly looking at unanswered requests. We are thrilled we stumbled upon your submission. We apologize for never responding earlier, especially since you waited for an hour to catch this awesome photo of a female Dock Spider or Fishing Spider, Dolomedes tenebrosus (see BugGuide), protecting her Nursery Web full of spiderlings. Many species in the genus are found in close proximity to the water and they are able to walk across the surface and dive beneath the water to escape predators. Some are even known to hunt aquatic creatures like minnows and tadpoles, hence the common name Fishing Spider. Like the rest of the family, these are hunting spiders that do not build webs, except for the care of their brood. For that reason, they are also called Nursery Web Spiders.
Thank you Daniel. I am glad you liked it. I also managed to get a huge series of a male and female mating. Interested?
Merry Christmas and all of the very besy in 2012
Scott
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