A new meme going around FB claims the WoodLouse Spider is a "deadly new species" wrecking havoc in the Southern US
It's a completely harmless spider, but it still has a neat story to tell.
For the first of this week's two #DeepDives, let's explore the biology of Dysdera crocata
It's a completely harmless spider, but it still has a neat story to tell.
For the first of this week's two #DeepDives, let's explore the biology of Dysdera crocata
So, for the first tweet in this series, let's put these rumors to rest with data.
There's a lot of verified bites from D. crocata in the medical literature-which is rare. One person allowed themselves to be purposely bitten multiple times.
No deaths; everyone was just fine.
There's a lot of verified bites from D. crocata in the medical literature-which is rare. One person allowed themselves to be purposely bitten multiple times.
No deaths; everyone was just fine.
D. crocata gets it's name-the woodlouse spider-from it's food.
They live in dark, moist, areas and are adapted to feeding on sow bugs...sometimes called rollie-pollies.
They use those huge mandibles to foil the isopod's defensive rolling.
They live in dark, moist, areas and are adapted to feeding on sow bugs...sometimes called rollie-pollies.
They use those huge mandibles to foil the isopod's defensive rolling.
This spider also shares it's environment with predators which are also well adapted to eating spiders...centipedes.
Those fangs also come in handy for defense-it uses them to keep predators at a distance while delivering defensive bites.
Those fangs also come in handy for defense-it uses them to keep predators at a distance while delivering defensive bites.
Woodlouse hunters don't build webs like the spiders most folks see. Instead, they build silken retreats where they hang out during the day...emerging to hunt at night.
They prefer building them under large objects.
flic.kr/p/rv43Wt
They prefer building them under large objects.
flic.kr/p/rv43Wt
The interesting thing about these spiders is that they're relatively long-lived. They'll reach sexual maturity in about a year and a half, and live about 3 years in captivity.
Orb-weavers may reach maturity in three months, and die after about 9.
Orb-weavers may reach maturity in three months, and die after about 9.
This species is found worldwide. D. crocata, the species in the meme, is originally from the Mediterranean region of Europe, and Northern Africa.
These dry, temperate regions have allowed D. crocata to adapt to a wide range of habitats around the world.
These dry, temperate regions have allowed D. crocata to adapt to a wide range of habitats around the world.
Dysdera may look a bit scary, but it's totally harmless. It mainly eats pillbugs, and tries to stay out of the way by building hideouts under large rocks or garden decorations.
If anything, it's a spider to admire...it's adaptability has let it travel the world!
If anything, it's a spider to admire...it's adaptability has let it travel the world!
