Subject: Unknown Spider from Sierra Leone
Location: Sierra Leone
February 4, 2013 5:13 am
Hello,
my younger brother took this picture while on one of his many trips to Sierra Leone. He would love some help in identifying this beautiful spider. It is enormous, roughly the size of my brother’s outstretched hand!
Signature: Regards, Kim

Huntsman Spider

Dear Kim,
We believe this Huntsman Spider is Heteropoda venatoria, a species that has greatly expanded its range thanks to the cultivation and shipment of bananas.

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Subject: Is this a Hawaiian Huntsman?
Location: Kailua, HI
January 25, 2013 2:27 pm
My wife and I live in Hawaii on the Island of Oahu. We returned home one winter evening to find the pictured spider climbing all over an artificial landscape rock wall that is partially covered by vines. I searched around the net and arrived at your wonderful site. It appears that this is a Huntsman spider, but I’m a little unclear if it is also known as the Cane Spider? Are the distinctive dots on the back of its abdomen telling of it’s exact species? I think I’m thankful to have him around if he likes to eat cockroaches! Thank you!
Signature: Kevin in Kailua

Huntsman Spider

Hi Kevin,
Cane Spider is a common name associated with one particular species of Huntsman Spider, Heteropoda venatoria, according to the Hawaiian Creatures website.  We cannot say for certain that this is a Cane Spider, but we believe that it is most likely one.  Like many species currently living and thriving on Hawaii, Heteropoda venatoria is an introduced species.  While preparing this response, we stumbled upon a lovely image on FlickR of a Floridian Huntsman eating a Cockroach. 

Whatsthatbug/Daniel,
Thank you so much for the response. I really like the Flickr link to the huntsman eating the cockroach. I see the remarkably similar appearance. I can now welcome this big buy to my property to do his good work.  Your site is a very helpful resource.
Mahalo/thank you!
Kevin

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Subject: Spider ID
Location: Clovis, Ca,
January 21, 2013 11:22 pm
I saw this spider while working on the RV. I found it in a semi open metal shed.Clovis, Ca. in Jan.
Signature: sCary

Giant Crab Spider

Dear sCary,
This is a Giant Crab Spider in the genus Olios.  You can read more about them on BugGuide.

Thank you very much for the the ID. I looked at 36 pages of spiders. I needed your help for the ID.
Cary

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Subject: Aggressive brown spider
Location: South Central Texas
December 29, 2012 5:08 pm
Hey bugman,
I unknowingly swept up this brown spider in my kitchen. He wasn’t too pleased, and responded by lifting his front legs in aggression when I moved near to take the photo. He’s hairless and about the size of a gold dollar. Is he dangerous? I’m trying to decide if I need to move out of my apartment or not!
Signature: Brittani Wray

Probably Giant Crab Spider

Hi Brittani,
We don’t often trade with gold dollars, but we are guessing that this spider is a pretty good size.  There is not that much detail in your image, but based on the general shape and the relative length of the front two pairs of legs, we believe this is a Giant Crab Spider, perhaps Olios giganteus which you can find pictured on BugGuide.

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Subject: South Florida Spider
Location: Fort Meyers, fl
December 4, 2012 9:05 pm
I found 2 of these at a new house I just bought in fort Meyers,fl… What kind of spider is this? Do I have a nest?
Signature: Plee

Huntsman Spider

Hi Plee,
This Huntsman Spider, Heteropoda venatoria, is an introduced species that has naturalized in the Gulf States.  It is considered a harmless species, but since it is a nocturnal hunter that feeds on Cockroaches, you might want to consider allowing them to share your new home.  See BugGuide for additional information.

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Subject: Adult spider in a cocoon
Location: Mesa, AZ
November 6, 2012 4:55 pm
Cocoon measures approx. 1.5 inches across. Found attached to a piece of wood in Mesa, AZ. Spider appears to be alive but dormant. The cocoon was very hard to tear open. I was surprised to see an adult spider inside. I can send bigger pics if need be. Any idea what it is?
Signature: Nathan

Dormant Female Giant Crab Spider

Hi Nathan,
This sure looks like a female Giant Crab Spider or Huntsman Spider, Olios peninsulanus, when compared to this image on BugGuide, though she may be another member in the same genus.  We are very curious about the circumstances of this sighting.  We will contact Eric Eaton to see if he knows anything about Giant Crab Spiders going dormant.

Eric Eaton Responds
Daniel:
I am guessing that this is how they overwinter.
Eric

Wow, what a cool spider. My kids are home schooled so we are always on the hunt for something to get them excited. This spider sure got them excited. Thanks for the ID!
“These spiders generally settle into one place only at egg-laying time. Females produce large egg bags that they hide in and guard.”
http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_giantcrab_spider.php

Hi again Nathan,
Thanks for the additional link.  We aren’t certain of the species, but we are confident with the genus Olios identification.

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Subject: Big Fast Moving, Baja California Sur Spider?
Location: Baja California Sur
November 6, 2012 11:54 am
Dear Bugman,
Any idea what this bug is
Signature: Rob

Male Huntsman Spider

Hi Rob,
You have enclosed two different species of spiders.  The one on the yellow background is a male Huntsman Spider, probably Olios giganteus, which according to BugGuide can be identified by the “dark chelicerae, prominent heart mark.”   Huntsman Spiders are shy nocturnal hunters that will help keep the home free of cockroaches.  The other spider appears to be a Tarantula.

Tarantula

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Subject: What kind of spider is this?
Location: Tucson, AZ
October 18, 2012 7:42 pm
I came upon this spider in the showers in Picacho Peak campground (Tucson, AZ) last week? It was about the size of my palm. I took the picture and then backed away…
Any ideas on what kind it is?
Signature: Curious

Giant Crab Spider

Dear Curious,
This is a Giant Crab Spider in the genus Olios, and you can compare your image to this photo on BugGuide.  The size of the pedipalps, the first pair of appendages, are an indication that this is a male.  Male spiders use their pedipalps to transfer sperm packets to the female during mating.

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