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 #7Clue: At home with Peter
Rabbit Hutch Spider ? as in Peter Rabbit.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Thought you were having us on S - know better now & in my area - yuk, shiver, crawl, creep!!!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
I am going with Wolf spider as in Peter and the Wolf
Caroline in Jersey
Cin J
Ooh... I have Fasle Widows in my garage - give me the heeby geebees.....
Will post a clue tomorrow.
Clue: it's a lie, he's alive.
Psilochoris simoni, from the Pholcidae-family? In our regions they are supposed to live only in buildings----for the clue "at home". And as to the name: Here in Germany one disciple of Jesus is named Simon Petrus----- for the clue "Peter".
I am excited to learn the truth
Bente
Now going to switch to Seaman and say Rabbit Hutch or False Widow
Congratulations to all of you who guessed Rabbit hutch spider (Steatoda bipunctata). First a bit about the clues! First clue: At home with Peter. Peter refers to the Beatrix Potter’s character: Peter rabbit. A home for a (domestic) rabbit would be a hutch. Thus giving you, rabbit hutch, where these spiders are often found. The second clue: It's a lie, he's alive. ‘It’s a lie’ refers to something false. ‘He’s alive’ refers to a man, and in this case a husband. A woman with a dead husband would be a widow. From this we get false widow. Rabbit hutch spiders belong to the genus ‘Steatoda’, otherwise known as False widows.
Rabbit hutch spiders are common throughout Europe and North America and have brown bulbous abdomens that have a pale broken line down the centre. On the dorsal side of the abdomen are a pair of dimples (apodemes), which give the spider its Latin name bi (two) punctata (spots). Rabbit hutch spiders are usually found close to man-made structures such as sheds and garages. Rabbit hutch spiders, though they can bite, are often mistaken for Black widow spiders and are considerably less dangerous to humans.
A picture of a Rabbit hutch spider is found here.
Did you know that: on the underside of the abdomen of the Rabbit hutch spider there is a pattern that resembles the infinity sign.
Keep an eye out (or eight) for next week’s Mystery spider quiz here soon!
Take care,
Claire