Apologies for delay...... 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 #6Clue: I frightened Miss Muffet away.
I think it was a Poecilotheria Regalis ( A Tarantula)
"Birds are, quite simply, little miracles - and as such they require care and consideration."
Magnus Ullman
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Nursery rhyme so why not a Nursery web Spider ?
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Clue: Fear not I am no big bad wolf.
I suppose the obvious answer from the second clue is a Spotted Wolf Spider. However, I'm not sure how this would relate to Little Miss Muffet
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Tony
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Congratulations to all of you who guessed Nursery web spider (Pisaura mirabilis). First a bit about the clues! First clue: I frightened Miss Muffet away. This refers to the ‘Nursery’ rhyme: “Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet. Eating her curds and whey. Along came a spider, Who sat down beside her. And frightened Miss Muffet away”. Note to self, always check tuffet for spiders before eating curds and whey. Did you know that Miss Muffet’s stepfather Dr Muffet (1553-1604) was a famous entomologist and wrote one of the first scientific catalogues on British insects!! The second clue: Fear not I am no big bad wolf. Due to their appearance, Nursery web spiders are often confused with Wolf spiders, hence the reference to wolf.
With variable colouration, Nursery web spiders can be found either in woodland rides, field edges, heathland or in gardens and are most apparent between May to July. Females have a body length of 13mm and males 10mm. Prior to mating the male spider will present the female with a courtship gift, but instead of flowers or chocolates, this tends to be a fly or other prey item, which is gift wrapped in silk. Once the female has laid her eggs, these are wrapped up in a ball of silk, which she then carries using her palps and fangs. Before the eggs hatch, the female attaches the ball of eggs onto a plant and then builds a protective web around it, this forms a nursery, from where the spider gets it name. Though the female will guard the nursery, once the young disperse, they must fend for themselves.
A picture of a Nursery web spider is here.
Did you know that: Nursery web spiders can feign death, apparently this increases the male spiders chances of successful mating.
Keep an eye out (or eight) for next week’s Mystery spider quiz here soon!
Take care,
Claire
Thanks MrsT