Spider Reference Libraries
Image Caption: House Centipede, Scutigera coleoptrata. Credit: Bruce Marlin/Wikipedia (CC BY 3.0) Scutigera coleoptrata is one of many species of house centipedes. This species is native to the Mediterranean, but it is capable of moving to other region of the world including most of Europe, South America, North America, and Asia. It is thought to have first ventured from its native range...
Arachnology is the scientific study of spiders and related specimens: including scorpions, pseudo-scorpions and harvestmen. These animals are collectively known as arachnids. Ticks and mites, on the other hand, although are in the arachnid family, do not typically fall under archeology studies; these small creatures are usually studied under Acarology. Arachnology derives from the Greek...
The Zebra spider (Salticus scenicus) is an ordinary household jumping spider. In the same vein as other jumping spiders, this spider does not build a web. Four pairs of large eyes allow the Zebra spider to quickly locate prey, pounce, and hunt. It has been noted and observed by humans that the Zebra spider is considered curious and cat-like while hunting. This spider seems to be aware of its...
The Redbacked Jumping spider (Phidippus johnsoni) is one of the largest and most common jumping spiders in the western parts of North America. It is not to be mistaken for the highly venomous and unrelated Redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti). The Redbacked Jumping spider may inflict a painful bite in self defense if threatened, although there are not any serious medical consequences....
The yellow sac spider (Cheiracanthium punctorium) is a spider that is found from Central Asia to central Europe. The yellow sac spider can reach about 0.6 inches in length. This spider can penetrate the human skin. The bite of this spider may feel similar to a wasp sting though it may be a bit more severe, however susceptible persons may have stronger reactions such as nausea. Female yellow...
The Goldenrod Crab spider (Misumena vatia) is a species of crab spider which thrives in the northern hemisphere. This crab spider received the name Goldenrod Crab spider in North America, where it is the best-known and largest flower spider. This spider is frequently found hunting in brilliant yellow goldenrod sprays in the autumn. These spiders are generally hard to distinguish on a yellow...
The Biting Spider or False Black Widow (Steatoda nobilis) is a species of arachnid native to the Canary Islands. It was accidentally introduced to England around 1870 through imported bananas that were sent to Torquay. It is also found in continental Europe and Africa. Its range is extending northwards and is expected to someday be prominent in the United Kingdom. This spider resembles the...
The Hobo Spider (Tegenaria agrestis) is a species of arachnid that is native to western and central Europe. It is now also found in the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada. It has recently spread into southern Alaska, making it the first dangerous spider to humans in that state. It has been also recorded on a small island (Peberholm) in Denmark, and in southern Sweden. Its...
The Fishing Spider (Thalassius albocinctus) is a species of arachnid found in tropical Asia from India to the Philippines. It gets its name from the habit it has of catching small fish. It is found near water. This spider is easily identifiable by the presence of a black, glossy, broad band and white lateral band that runs along the cephalothorax (conjoined head and thorax) and abdomen. It...
The Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is a species of spider found in Europe. This is the largest raft spider found in Great Britain. Raft spiders are found in or near damp places. It is more commonly found among acidic bogs, rather than unpolluted waters. They will glide across water and submerge themselves for a short time to protect themselves from predators. The adult female is 0.86...
