Let's learn about insects - Series 1 - Spiders

[ImUrOBGYN]

I've decided to post some intersting bug facts from time to time. Many of you aren't aware of some of the more amazing abilities of our tiny little friends. I believe education breeds awareness and respect and helps those with fear learn to deal with it a bit better. Since spider awareness seems to be on the rise here lately, I've decided to start with an interesting little spider commonly refered to as the Net Casting spider.

 

http://www.oceanwideimages.com/images/8984/large/24T5855-38D-net-casting-spider.jpg

 

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinopidae (full article at link)

The spider family Deinopidae consists of stick-like elongate spiders that build unusual webs that they suspend between the front legs. When prey approaches, the spider will stretch the net to two or three times its relaxed size and propel itself onto the prey, entangling it in the web. Because of this, they are also called net-casting spiders. Their excellent night-vision adapted posterior median eyes allow them to cast this net over potential prey items. These eyes are so large in comparison to the other six eyes that the spider seems to have only two eyes.

 

Video of net creation and prey capture.

http://www.livevideo.com/video/C39AF586F3EA45EB951C75C0AD62DC62/net-throwing-spider.aspx

[frenchy chan]

are you going to discuss bugs in our area? i'd like to know more about our local bugs...won't make me less scared of them, though

 

and reading your post made me think of this:

[99FLHRCI]

are you going to discuss bugs in our area? i'd like to know more about our local bugs

 

+1

 

Local stuff is always more interesting.

[2highpsi]

Ohhh look, a watermark

[TTQ B4U]

Ohhh look, a watermark

 

Imagine that.........

[sol740]

"Let's learn about insects - Series 1 - Spiders"

 

Maybe we should rephrase the topic.

[Mr. Jones]

Imagine that.........

 

© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro© 2010 Timothy Lauro

[Skinner]

hahaah

[ImUrOBGYN]

Christ... You know, I originally decided against posting that pic becuz of the watermark and the recent CR discussions concerning them. lol

 

And yes, if you guys prefered I can do local. There isn't as many that are exciting though. Eh, maybe. I've had so much xp with "local" insects they've lost a bit of shine for me. This may even reinterest me, though.

 

Hmm, a good local spider to start... Maybe a dangerous one. I don't want to be like the local news and tell you there's something in your house that can kill you and... I'll be back after the break. Gotta run to the store.

[ImUrOBGYN]

"Let's learn about insects - Series 1 - Spiders"

 

Maybe we should rephrase the topic.

 

Yes, you are correct. I knew someone would call me on it. Spiders ARE NOT insects they are arachnids. However, when trying to come up with a title, I wasn't sure what the first part would be on. Also, I needed something that would be quick read and fit without too many characters. "Insects" is something everyone understands and generally encompasses the entire little bug world to them. However, I'm glad you brought it up for me to explain. Spiders are not insects.

[ImUrOBGYN]

I think I'm going to alternate between local and abroad. Today, we cover a spider more dangerous than the black widow, the brown recluse. Though, not as common as some think in Ohio, this dangerous little crawly does frequent our homes here occasionally. Many believe they know how to identify one properly, however, there are a couple other spiders that share similar traits.

 

Large Brown Recluse

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/Brown-recluse-coin-edit.jpg/800px-Brown-recluse-coin-edit.jpg

 

1. The violin. The most common description for the recluse.

2. No spines on legs and no discernible markings.

3. And most importantly, though many of you will never look that close, only 3 pairs of eyes. One pair on each side and one pair facing forward.

 

They are not aggressive and do not readily attack unless handled. Some recluse bites have been known to cause necrosis of the flesh. Sometimes months or even years down the road. The cause is unknown. I will say it is believed many recluse bites are misdiagnosed and are not actual recluse bites. It's almost the 'pit bull' of spiders concerning misdiagnosed 'attacks', etc. It is also important to note that not all recluse bites have systemic affects. Though generally the bite forms a necrotizing ulcer that destroys soft tissue and may take months to heal, leaving deep scars.

 

Best course of action? If you are unsure, get rid of it. Fatalities are rare but the bites can be significant espcially to the infants and the elderly.

[TTQ B4U]

©GaryBell, ©GaryBell, ©GaryBell, ©GaryBell, ©GaryBell, ©GaryBell,

 

 

Fixed

[Slowbalt]

one guy that many of you have probably seen around here is the "House Centipede" or Scutigera coleoptrata. Here is the wiki on him/her.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutigera_coleoptrata

 

http://whatbugblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/800px-Scutigera_coleoptrata.jpg

 

They are very helpful in cleaning up less than stellar house guests.

[Orion]

They are very helpful in cleaning up less than stellar house guests.

 

Can I expect him to get rid of YOUR MOM?!

 

(Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaamnnnn)

 

 

 

 

 

On a more serious note, I love this shit. Even if it does have watermarks.