W is for wandering spiders (family Ctenidae)! #DailySpider
This is Phoneutria, one of the few spiders with venom that is very dangerous to humans.
Though we do have a few wandering spider species in North America, Phoneutria is only found in Central & South America.
This is Phoneutria, one of the few spiders with venom that is very dangerous to humans.
Though we do have a few wandering spider species in North America, Phoneutria is only found in Central & South America.
Here is a great photo and blog post about Phoneutria by @wizentrop! (Note that he did not actually get bitten).
gilwizen.com/creativity-pho…
gilwizen.com/creativity-pho…
Phoneutria are quite defensive & will bite readily if threatened, but not all bites are severe.
During fieldwork in French Guiana, @Ibycter had 2 assistants bitten by these spiders (hiding in boots left out overnight). Both bites were painful & unpleasant, but not too serious.
During fieldwork in French Guiana, @Ibycter had 2 assistants bitten by these spiders (hiding in boots left out overnight). Both bites were painful & unpleasant, but not too serious.
There are lots of other wandering spiders in family Ctenidae that are harmless to humans.
One of my favourite groups is the genus Ancylometes (which used to be considered fishing spiders, but are now understood to be wandering spiders).
One of my favourite groups is the genus Ancylometes (which used to be considered fishing spiders, but are now understood to be wandering spiders).
These spiders were very common by the river's edge near the camp we stayed at doing fieldwork at @stationnourague in French Guiana.
They can be quite large!
In addition to preying on fish, they are known to prey on other vertebrates like frogs!
And even snakes!
They also eat other spiders, too!
Ancylometes also has ridiculously cool mating behaviour, in which the male wraps the female with silk!
Here is more about this behaviour, called the "bridal veil" which also occurs in other spider groups: spiderbytes.org/2013/11/29/the…
Here is another beautiful wandering spider (family Ctenidae, don't know which genus) from Guyana. #DailySpider
And a couple more lovely wanderers from French Guiana! #DailySpider
