Hacklemesh Weaver spiders are fascinating creatures that may often be found around homes and buildings. These spiders, scientifically known as Amaurobiidae, are known for their distinct webs and unique behaviors. There’s a lot to discover about these intriguing arachnids, and this article aims to provide you with essential information about Hacklemesh Weavers.
These spiders can be commonly found in nesting habitats around properties, such as cracks and crevices on the exterior of buildings. To prevent them from entering your home, consider sealing gaps, installing tight-fitting door sweeps, and placing screens on windows. It is also helpful to minimize their food source by reducing insects in the area, using methods such as pest monitors or sticky traps 1.
In addition to their habitat preferences, Hacklemesh Weavers have fascinating lifecycles. For instance, male spiders overwinter as immatures, molt twice in spring, and become adults around April. After mating, they die. On the other hand, female spiders can be found during all seasons, suggesting they live for at least two years. These females lay their egg sacs in similar locations to where they’re found, often within their webs 2.
Hacklemesh Weaver Overview
Family Amaurobiidae
Hacklemesh weavers belong to the family Amaurobiidae. This family contains various species of spiders which share some common traits, including:
- Short, sturdy legs
- Oval, robust abdomen
- Dense, hackled hairs on the body
Genus and Species
The Hacklemesh weaver is scientifically named Amaurobius ferox. There are also other species within the Amaurobius genus, such as Amaurobius similis and Amaurobius fenestralis.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Here is the classification of the Hacklemesh Weaver:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Family: Amaurobiidae
- Genus: Amaurobius
- Species: Amaurobius ferox
The order Araneae classifies all spiders, while the class Arachnida includes other arthropods such as scorpions and ticks.
Comparison Table:
| Common Name | Class | Order | Family | Genus | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hacklemesh Weaver | Arachnida | Araneae | Amaurobiidae | Amaurobius | Amaurobius ferox |
| Common House Spider | Arachnida | Araneae | Theridiidae | Parasteatoda | Parasteatoda tepidariorum |
The Hacklemesh Weaver shares the same class, order, and family with many other spiders. However, its genus and species set it apart from other common spiders like the Common House Spider.
Physical Characteristics
Color and Size
Hacklemesh weavers are generally small to medium-sized spiders. They typically have a tan-colored abdomen and gray cephalothorax, which may sometimes appear with a pinkish flesh color. Here are some features of their appearance:
- Tan abdomen
- Gray cephalothorax
- Sometimes pinkish flesh color
Male vs Female
When comparing male and female hacklemesh weavers, there are some differences in size and appearance. To give you an idea, let’s look at a comparison table:
| Feature | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Smaller | Larger |
| Abdomen | Narrower | Wider |
| Legs | Longer and thinner | Shorter and thicker |
For example, male hacklemesh weavers typically have longer and thinner legs compared to the females. Apart from these differences, both male and female spiders share the same colors and general appearance.
Habitat and Range
Geographical Locations
Hacklemesh weavers are found throughout various regions in North America, spanning from California to the southern and eastern United States, such as Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina12. They can also be seen in some parts of Canada1.
Natural Environment
These spiders prefer environments with:
- Rocks
- Leaf litter
- Stones
- Woodpiles
- Logs
- Tree bark2
They can be found in habitats like:
Urban Environment
Interestingly, Hacklemesh weavers have also adapted to urban environments, where they can be found nesting in:
In the spring months of April and May, these spiders are more likely to be seen as they venture out in search of mates1.
Pros of urban environments:
- Abundance of insects
- Shelter from predators
Cons of urban environments:
- Human disturbance
- Limited natural hiding spaces
Comparison table of natural vs. urban environments:
| Environment | Examples of suitable spots | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural | Rocks, leaf litter, woodpiles | Natural hiding spaces | More predators |
| Urban | Basements, man-made structures | Abundance of insects | Human disturbance |
Behavior and Lifestyle
Diet and Prey
Hacklemesh weavers (Amaurobius species) are carnivorous spiders that mainly feed on small insects. Some typical examples of their prey include:
- Flies
- Mosquitoes
- Moths
These spiders use their chelicerae, or fangs, to inject venom and immobilize their prey.
Weaving Webs
Hacklemesh weavers belong to the group of cribellate spiders, which means they produce a unique type of web. These webs can be best described as a tangled nest, consisting of:
- Irregular strings of silk
- A tube retreat for the spider to hide
The tube retreat, typically found at the edge of their webs, offers the spider a secure hiding spot.
Mating Habits
The mating habits of hacklemesh weaver spiders are specific. Key points in their mating process include:
- Males molt twice after overwintering
- Males die after mating
- Females can live for at least two years
- Females lay egg sacs in the same location as their webs source
In summary, the behavior and lifestyle of hacklemesh weaver spiders revolve around their diet, web weaving, and mating habits. Their existence in diverse environments and unique techniques in searching for prey make them fascinating creatures to study.
Venom and Bites
Comparison to Other Spiders
Hacklemesh weaver spiders (Callobius sp.) are generally not venomous. They pose a low risk compared to other dangerous spiders like the brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa).
Comparison table:
| Spider | Venomous | Pain Level | Seriousness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hacklemesh Weaver | No | Low | Low Risk |
| Brown Recluse | Yes | High | High Risk |
Pros of Hacklemesh Weaver:
- Non-threatening to humans
- Low-risk bites
Cons of Hacklemesh Weaver:
- May cause mild irritation
Symptoms and Effects
In the rare cases where a hacklemesh weaver spider bites, the symptoms and effects are usually mild. A bite might lead to:
- Localized pain
- Redness
- Swelling
These side effects should subside on their own, but if you notice severe symptoms like nausea or difficulty breathing, seeking medical help is essential. Keep in mind that these severe symptoms are usually not associated with hacklemesh weaver bites.
Other Interesting Facts
Similar Species
- Hacklemesh weavers (Amaurobiidae) can be compared to some other spider species like the Metaltella simoni and the Southern house spider (Kukulcania hibernalis).
- These spiders share some physical similarities, but with noticeable differences:
- Hacklemesh weavers have a tan, brown, or grayish coloration, while Metaltella simoni usually displays darker shades and Southern house spiders have a dark brown or black color.
- Hacklemesh weavers are typically found in North America, while Metaltella simoni and Southern house spiders have a more expansive geographic range.
| Feature | Hacklemesh Weaver | Metaltella Simoni | Southern House Spider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Tan, Brown, or Gray | Darker Shades | Dark Brown or Black |
| Geographic Range | North America | Wider Range | Wider Range |
Scientific Classification
- The scientific classification for Hacklemesh weavers is as follows:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Suborder: Araneomorphae
- Family: Amaurobiidae
On a final note, Hacklemesh weavers’ common name, “night spiders,” comes from their nocturnal habits. They are not harmful to humans and contribute to controlling insect populations.
Footnotes
17 Comments. Leave new
I am not a bug expert, I just enjoy them. But I have been a veterinary technician for 17 years. I have never seen any kind of spider infestation on a living pet. Mites, such as sarcoptic (scabies) and demodectic mange can infest pets, but the eggs and adults are not visible to the naked eye. The dog ear picture also looks like debris from a yeast/bacterial infection. I’m not sure what you could do on the human side, but if you are concerned, you could ask your vet to do a skin biopsy of the affected area of the dog. It only requires a small sample and a lab can disect the sample to find any microscopic insects living on your pet. As far as treating the dog, I would try Revolution topical instead of Advantage, as it is labled to treat skin mites in dogs and cats. Good luck.
Thanks so much for your expert opinion in this matter, and we really hope Spider Woman seeks professional help.
it is hard to hear a story like that but perhaps she should look into the posibility of Morgellons disease or delusional parasitosis.
Details of delusional parasitosis vary among sufferers, but is most commonly described as involving perceived parasites crawling upon or burrowing into the skin, sometimes accompanied by an actual physical sensation Sufferers may injure themselves in attempts to be rid of the “parasites.”
Nearly any marking upon the skin, or small object or particle found on the person or their clothing, can be interpreted as evidence for the parasitic infestation, and sufferers commonly compulsively gather such “evidence” and then present it to medical professionals when seeking help
Dude, go to the doctor. Or the hospital. Seriously.
It sounds like fleas or mites to me. Spiders dont like to stick around humans. If u are indeed finding them everywhere, perhaps they are there hunting and feeding on whatever is plaguing you. Wrap a scarf around ur hair at night.
I think you should name it Toby. 🙂
I have the same horrifying nightmare. I’ve been a nurse for over 35 yrs, yet I can not get help either. In addition to devastation, losing jobs and endless nights of sleep, and photographs showing the goo and hair entanglement , I only get the ” lady , you are crazy !! look , before I move on to,a new doctor. I think it may have started with a MRSA on my
Scalp( misdiagnosed for years ) , then itching , then opportunistic fungal infection from topical cortisones and then prednisone for back injury. It took mos to get a fungal culture because “only kids get tinea capitus”. the bacteria and fungus become so bountiful that it attracts insects who feed and lie eggs in the goo, like fleas, mosquitoes, and gnats. Larger insects like nematodes then go to feed on those insects until you have a mini ecosystem in your head. Losing hair is inevitable , then comes wig- worse itching , inability to focus on anything due to intense itching. Worst of all as your life goes down the tubes , no one, not even colleagues or family believes you. Very demoralizing. I’m sorry for your pain. tea tree oil impregnated petroleum jelly or sulfa Vaseline helps. The only thing I’ve found that’s gets the hair unstuck From goo in scalp, believe it or not, is Goo be Gone!
I am dealing with the same exact thing their all over mine and my husbands scalp, and my carpet is full of them. I’ve been to 10 different doctors no-one knows please tell me u have found what kills them.
No she is not crazy ! This too is happened to me i! Please read all material on Morgellons! I don’t know what or why but I do know your not alone .
This is so crazy coincidence because i have the same issues you do and I have those brown spiders all over my house! I’ve been treating this myself for Morgellons since I cannot find any doctors that will help and I have seen 6! My hair and scalp are the biggest issues i have eggs and small larvae that seem like tiny caterpillars and they live under my scalp (raised skin) and other creatures that live on the follicle and its not dermadex. I hear them scratching around in my head and I recently had a outbreak in my ear and tiny larvae is living under earlobe and ear canal, and peroxide is causing the some damage, but doesn’t kill all of them. Recently I stumbled on the “velvet worm” in my research and it kinds of resembles the gooey glue that come from my scalp and the larvae. My hair also has white piedra and trichosporon so its a mess and I refuse to shave it all off so I could really use some advice if anyone can help?
I am also going threw this me and my husband .they are eating me alive. Their everywhere in carpet, walls, etc. We’ve been to ten doctors nothing we’ve spent thousands please help us.
Noxzema, Kleen Green, Nizoral, apple cider vinegar.., peppermint, tea tree
Also I made up a recipe that seems to help: milk, sea salt, lemon, nutmeg. Use as a mask leave it in for awhile.
I forgot to mention the main herb that really helps: olive leaf you get a powder capsule and pour the powder on the head or on sore and wet it and it will draw up the creature. I put it on skin and scalp
I been going thru this since May started with lice from a child then to what I think are carpet beetles due to new cheap carpets put in and the moth holes they leaved in clothes SLA helps but cannot kill them. they must be surgically removed they are down beneth 2 skin layers but the ER only wants more meds. I don’t know how much longer I can take it I am losing it and you can see it so no BS about hallucinations. I find all kind of lint in my clothes they live in when small. Please help me I too have tried it all and nothing is working it stops in one spot starts in another. I live across from a cemetary we are moving out to a not so good are but if its a chance we will take it. I didn’t even look at the 3 labs yet I am afraid too.
I believe I know why you are finding the massive number of spiders in your home and I’d like to offer up an extremely viable diagnosis of the rest of your issue. . I too had a three month issue with spiders before I could get the maintenance company to exterminate. Once they did, the spiders were gone however my apartment had two large trees abutting my unit which the owner refused to prune for nearly 3 years . Eventually the trees overflowed and I was faced with a massively infested apartment. I had stick bugs, carpet beetles, brown beetles, termites, mites, spider mites, you name it.
During that same time I was finding thin white strands of goop everywhere. Along with balls of fluff on and in everything, I found eggs, odd brown squares of what appeared to be fused bugs. I went to multiple doctors who treated me with the upmost of disdain. I began collecting samples over one year ago and whatever those brown things were seemed to have laid eggs in my head hair. Samples were sent to two hospital laboratories and the CDC to which i was advised that it seems Silverfish had made a home in my head hair. Unfortunately I have tried everything to get them out to no avail. So if anyone knows how to get these darn bugs out please enlighten me!!
Would love updates from these folks!
Wow