#purse web

[calosoma-amitch]

MICROSCOPE MONDAY

Purse-web spider (Sphodros sp.), Fishers Island, NY. August 2015. 

One of the few tarantula-like spiders found north of the Mason-Dixon, purse-web spiders live up to their name by spinning silken “sock-shaped” pockets around tree trunks or cavities in the soil. The spider resides at the bottom of these silk-spun pockets, and when it detects vibrations from insects crawling above, it uses its enlarged fangs to stab and envenom its prey.  Now that I’ve moved into my new house, I should be able to resume posting at a regular schedule. 

[lovebritishwildlife]

#100ScaryUKCreatures The Purse Web Spider - Atypus Affinis - These 8 legged ladies are the things of nightmares. Belonging to the same infraorder of spiders as the Sydney Funnel Web and tarantulas, these mighty arachnids pack a powerful pair of fangs. It is the fangs that give the name to the infraorder, owing to the fact they point straight down instead of crossing each other. 

Females can grow a body of about 10-15mm, whilst males get to about 7-9mm. They build a funnel type web, half of which is built underground and do spend most of their lives below ground. 

Thankfully these spiders are not venomous to us and very few bites have been recorded. Fascinating but horrifying!