#purseweb

[apsciencebylyn]

This is peak female performance, whether you like it or not (and I love it). Full-grown Sphodros abboti woman is a stunning sight. Those magnificent curvy chelicerae could crack a man's skull (untested). 🖤

(purseweb spider, one of Florida's native mygalomorphs)

Oh yeah, since I coaxed her out of her tube to get a look at her, I provided her with a snack as compensation. Katydid nymph was much appreciated. She'll cut through the silk wall of her tube and go back into hiding.

[crevicedwelling]

fed Stapler today

(Atypus karschi, Porcellionides pruinosus “Orange”)

[hisj]

_Atypus karschi_ #purseweb #spider #ジグモ (総社町5号公園)

[apsciencebylyn]

*hands you one*

(Trying to see which species of Sphodros--a purseweb spider--lurks at a public park, probably S. abboti. If I'm a good spood parent she'll end up like twice this size)

Pet Tube. 🤎

[apsciencebylyn]

Feeding a Wild Tube

I wanted to confirm the species of this particular Wild Tube (Sphodros abboti, for real this time!) so I coaxed her out for some shots. Watched her climb back into her tube. Continued my walk, encountered a suitable snack, and returned to feed it to her. Thank you, Wild Tube! Enjoy your snack. 🖤

The diagnostic feature: Sphodros abboti spinnerets have 4 segments, S. rufipes has 3.

[apsciencebylyn]

I was hoping I wouldn't miss the Spring(ish) emergence of purseweb babies again for the 3rd straight year, and it seems I barely did miss out, but there remained one (1!!!) derpy little child who hadn't ballooned off this evening 🥹

Back in 2021 I didn't know we had any mygalomorphs in Florida, and happened to come across a few clusters of newly-emerged babies at this location; they're easy to spot, as they all make a messy trail of silk on their way up to the top of low plants to disperse - often tree fronds of palmetto. I found a few with the characteristic mess of silk this evening, but just spiderling left! She has no idea how much she made my day.

Sphodros abboti

[brolookatthatcoolanimal]

Looking for #SocialDistancing inspiration? Meet the Pennsylvanian Purseweb spider. Once they build their expertly camoflaged web, they may never leave again. Learn about this spider's secretive life in this @PhillyInquirer piece I wrote last year: https://www.inquirer.com/science/volunteer-scientists-philadelphia-rare-pennsylvanian-purseweb-spider-mystery-animal-atypus-snetsingeri-20190824.html --- #atypus #purseweb #arachnology #arachnidsofig #covid_19 #arachnidsofinstagram #spiderverse #spidersOfInstagram #SpiderSunday #spidersofig #spidersOfIG #wildlifephotography #wildlife #macro #macrophotography #invert_macro #InvertOfTheWeek #animalphotography #animals https://www.instagram.com/p/B9_9HwtBqyW/?igshid=7vbgikw45zxz