Often confused as insects (despite having no antennae) spiders, though they are also members of the Arthropod phylum, belong to the largest order of Arachnids. In fact, as of 2008, a massive 43,678 spider species have been recorded (that’s a lot of legs!!!!). As you know, each spider has eight legs, and if you look close enough you’ll notice that their mouthparts are primed with tiny fangs. Bizarrely enough I suffer from Arachnophobia, but even I have to admit that this diverse group of creatures are absolutely fascinating and I do hope you will join me for next 12 weeks as I test your spidey senses.Have fun,ClaireMYSTERY SPIDER QUIZ #5Clue: Get hiss, I have six eyes.
Clue: No scales add a clue.
Segestria senoculata
"Birds are, quite simply, little miracles - and as such they require care and consideration."
Magnus Ullman
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MYSTERY SPIDER QUIZ #5
Congratulations to all of you who guessed Snake-back spider (Segestria senoculata). First a bit about the clues! First clue: Get hiss, I have six eyes. Whereas most spiders have eight eyes, the Snake-back spider belongs to a group of spiders that only have six. The second clue: No scales add a clue. Snakes have scales and ‘add a’ refers to the snake Adder, whose markings are very similar to those found on the long slim carapace of the Snake-back spider.
Snake-back spiders whose body length is around 9mm, build a tubular web in crevices and will dart out and catch prey as they cross trip lines that fan out from the web’s entrance. These trip lines are usually strong threads despite the web hidden under either bark or rubble. Snake-back spiders are found all across Europe and have also been found in Asia.
A picture of a Snake-back spider is found here.
Did you know that: the Snake-back spider is the only recorded prey species of the Pepsid spider wasp Dipogon subintermedius.
Keep an eye out (or eight) for next week’s Mystery spider quiz here soon!
Take care,
Claire
P.S: No quiz next week as MrsT, MrT and SophieT shall be in Dorset hunting for fossils!
Mrs T is Fossil hunter??
Oh - wait! The TV prog is Relic Hunter
:)
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
If you are referring to the American sitcom, then noooooooooooo. I have more of a passing interest in palaeontology and the Dorset (Jurassic) coast is rich in fossils.
Heading that way too Mrs T to deliver the 'baby' archeologist to her new base :) Sadly the weather forecast looks pretty grotty so welly boots and waterproofs
Caroline in Jersey
about to suffer sever empty nest syndrome
Cin J
Mine are packed, but very little stops MrsT and dog from paddling in the sea!