One of the earliest signs of Fall is the almost frantic actions of
the spiders who seem in a rush to reproduce or prepare to hibernate. Spiders
are a most interesting invertebrate in both appearance and habit. All are
predators which make them valuable to the gardener as they will eat flies,
mosquitoes, grasshoppers, locusts, cockroaches, and aphids. The habits differ
among species with some making intricate webs to trap their prey while some lie
in wait on flowers and some simply travel about on the ground.
Most spiders live one season, however some species live long lives
and spend the winter in a semi-hibernation. The Fiddlebacks have hidden in the
rafters, behind the books, under the bed, and in other out of the way places ready
to begin winter hibernation. Over the Winter they will grow and shed last years
'shell' leaving behind the empty casing... the empty casing is a sign that a
more mature one is lurking somewhere nearby. The gentle Tarantula has an
extremely long life expectancy and will easily live up to 20 years in
captivity. The record has been set by a female who resides in LA and although
her age was unknown at the time of her capture, she is now fifty years old.
Spiders are found in every corner of the planet, making them one
of the most common invertebrates and they alone have eight legs. True spiders
(thin-waisted arachnids) evolved about 400 million years ago, and were among
the first species to live on land. There are many references to the spider in
popular culture, folklore and symbolism. The spider symbolizes patience for its
hunting with web traps, and mischief and malice for its poison and the slow
death they cause their prey. (Who could forget the pitiful death sequence in the
movie ‘The Fly’?)
Though not all spiders spin gossamer webs, spiders have been attributed by numerous cultures with the origin of basket-weaving, knot work, weaving, spinning, and net making. Lovely pottery artifacts featuring spiders may be found in all ancient cultures, so respect for them is universal.
Though not all spiders spin gossamer webs, spiders have been attributed by numerous cultures with the origin of basket-weaving, knot work, weaving, spinning, and net making. Lovely pottery artifacts featuring spiders may be found in all ancient cultures, so respect for them is universal.
Any talk of spiders includes the two most dangerous in
A favorite spider which comes to mind is the darling fuzzy black
jumper.
One summer we had a black fuzzy with emerald green fangs who took up residence in the kitchen. Every morning as the household awoke and greeted her, she would lift her 'arm' and wave... a marvelous trick by any standard.
One summer we had a black fuzzy with emerald green fangs who took up residence in the kitchen. Every morning as the household awoke and greeted her, she would lift her 'arm' and wave... a marvelous trick by any standard.
There is an entire psychological phobia named after fear of
spiders called Arachnophobia. So popular is this fear that comic book creator
Stan Lee embraced it, introducing an irresistible spider hero in 1962.
Spiderman instantly became an all time favorite.
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