Subject: Unexpected Roomates
Geographic location of the bug: Ventura, Ca
Date: 01/10/2019
Time: 10:01 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Dearest Bugman,
I recently changed my residence and have noticed quite a few additional spiders in my new space. I assumed that the majority of what I see are ‘daddy long legs’ (please excuse my potential misuse of this street name for what I believe are harmless/helpful creatures that pose no threat to the likes of me). However, today I spotted something totally different. Mostly ‘white’/ translucent with what appear to be ‘black shoes’ on each foot. Please let me know who my new roommate is.
How you want your letter signed: Melanie on the Irish Chain
Dear Melanie,
The “daddy long legs” that you mentioned are most likely Long Bodied Cellar Spiders which we identified for you in the past. Your current request appears to be a Yellow Sac Spider or Black Footed Spider, Cheiracanthium mildei, which is pictured on BugGuide where it states: “More often found inside man-made structures” and “Sac spiders are classified as hunting spiders. These spiders are very active at night and will emerge from their day resting sacs to run along walls and ceilings in pursuit of prey. If startled, they drop down on draglines and scurry away! Imported from Europe in the 1940s.” This is not considered a dangerous species to humans, but BugGuide does note: “Yellow sac spider bites occur most frequently when the very defensive spider is trapped in clothing.” Charles Hogue calls this species a Cream House Spider.
I tried to respond via the website but wasn’t able to figure it out.
My response was going to be something to the tune of… if getting trapped in clothing is problematic for these spiders than I will plan on wearing much less when I am at home.