Thread by @Cataranea

To celebrate the last days of #Arachtober, why not add some #SpiderGlamour to your nails? @mikamckinnon, @Ibycter & I teamed up to test out some inspidered styles for #ManicureMonday!

For some serious #SpiderGlamour incorporating lovely autumn colours look to the fishing spider spider #Dolomedes #scriptus! Also known as dock spiders, these large spiders are common across eastern North America. #ManicureMonday

Fishing spiders really do eat fish, tadpoles, & anything else that they can catch on or around water! This species & relatives are some of the largest spiders in North America, reaching up to 2.5 cm body length (not including legs!). #SpiderGlamour

For a sophisticated & sparkly #SpiderGlamour look, try nails inspidered by the nursery web spider #Pisaurina #mira. This female displays the typical bold bronze stripe, but the colouration of this common North American species is highly variable. #ManicureMonday

The nursery web spider Pisaurina mira is a classic femme fatale, but males can avoid becoming dinner by wrapping the female with silk during courtship. #SpiderGlamour #Arachtober #ManicureMonday

Jumping spiders like this #Phidippus #johnsoni are also great inspiration for #SpiderGlamour nails. With their large eyes and excellent colour vision, these spiders can fully appreciate our nail art! #Arachtober #ManicureMonday

I love the way Mika's black & white nails echo the "hairdo" of this jumping spider. Spiders' bodies are covered with sensory hairs, & scientists recently learned that #Phidippus can hear airborne sounds (as well as detect vibrations)! #SpiderGlamour #Arachtober #ManicureMonday

For simpler, more classic #SpiderGlamour, go with a bold Phidippus-red! Or you could try an iridescent greenish-blue to match their beautiful chelicerae (jaws). #Arachtober #ManicureMonday

Finally, our last #SpiderGlamour look is #BlackWidow-inspired. The iconic red hourglass from the underside of the abdomen is perfect for #Arachtober. Unlike many other species, sexual cannibalism is actually rare in North American widow spiders! #ManicureMonday.

Disclaimer for last tweet: I do not recommend handling black widows with your bare hands! I work with these spiders and can handle them safely, but they are capable of biting & causing serious harm.

In general, they are shy, hesitant to bite, & low risk if you leave them alone.

Want to learn more about the models featured in this #SpiderGlamour thread?

1a. Fishing spiders in the genus #Dolomedes have fascinating behaviour, including the ability to dive & stay underwater for up to 30 minutes! spiderbytes.org/2016/06/20/fis…
#Arachtober #ManicureMonday

1b. Large fishing spiders like the #Dolomedes #tenebrosus we featured are also sometimes called dock spiders & will be familiar to many folks who have lake-side cottages in the east. More on them by @ChrisBuddle: arthropodecology.com/2012/08/13/can… #Arachtober #SpiderGlamour

2. The nursery web spider #Pisaurina #mira has fascinating sexual behaviour. Along with many other spider species, males tie females up in silk before mating! Read more about this "bridal veil": spiderbytes.org/2013/11/29/the… #Arachtober #SpiderGlamour

3. A short Shakespearean-inspired tragedy starring #Phidippus, another #SpiderGlamour model. spiderbytes.org/2014/03/31/phi… #Arachtober

4. Finally, here's the truth about the #BlackWidow. Turns out, it's really hard to get them to bite, even if you repeatedly poke & prod them. Still, don't try this at home: spiderbytes.org/2014/02/14/wha… #Arachtober #SpiderGlamour