sandrewn Posted September 12 Posted September 12 ii Number 16 The world’s oldest known spider named Number 16 died at the age of 43. She died after being stung by a wasp. The world's oldest spider lived to be 43 before a wasp's sting did her in - CNN 2
Bill W Posted September 20 Posted September 20 Giant invasive joro spiders spotted for first time in Pennsylvania Intimidating looking but relatively harmless arachnids native to east Asia spread across US north-east Maya Yang Thu 19 Sep 2024 13.04 EDT Share The invasive joro spider has been spotted for the first time in Pennsylvania. Six of the giant, colorful spiders, which were already spreading across north-east states including New York and New Jersey, were seen in the yard of a home in Bucks county on 5 September, according to the interactive tracking system JoroWatch. A state entomologist then visited to confirm the location and identification. The species, Trichonephila clavata, is native to east Asia, primarily Japan. It measures up to 4in (10cm) with legs as long as 8in (20cm), and can spin large, golden webs up to 10ft (3m) wide. Giant, invasive joro spiders to spread on US east coast – but pose no huge threat Read more Females can be identified by their yellow abdomen and broad blue-green bands on their back, as well as yellow and red markings on their belly, according to JoroWatch. They also have long black legs that are often striped in yellow bands. Males are smaller, and mostly brown, with two long yellow stripes on both sides of their abdomen and a dark brown stripe in the middle. Joro spiders were first spotted in the US in north Georgia in 2014, though they probably arrived on shipping containers years before. According to a 2022 University of Georgia study, joro spiders differ from the golden silk spider, a close relative, as they have double the metabolism rate and a 77% higher heart rate. As a result, unlike the golden silk spider – which moved to the US south-east from the tropics 160 years ago, but has been unable to spread due to its inability to withstand cold temperatures – the joro spider is able to survive freezes. Despite their intimidating exterior, joros are considered fairly shy and harmless to people and pets. Last year University of Georgia scientists compared the responses of more than 450 spiders across 10 different species to a mild disturbance – a turkey baster that blew two puffs of air onto the spiders. While most species froze for less than a minute before resuming their normal activities, the joro spiders remained still for more than an hour. “They basically shut down and wait for the disturbance to go away,” the study’s lead author Andy Davis told the university newspaper. “These spiders are really more afraid of you than the reverse.” You've read 6 articles in the last year Article count on I hope you appreciated this article. Before you move on, I wanted to ask if you would consider supporting the Guardian’s journalism during one of the most consequential news cycles of our lifetimes. We have never been more passionate about exposing the multiplying threats to our democracy and holding power to account in America. In the heat of a tumultuous presidential race, there is an urgent need for free, trustworthy journalism that foregrounds the stakes of November’s election for our country and planet. Yet, from Elon Musk to the Murdochs, a small number of billionaire owners have a powerful hold on so much of the information that reaches the public about what’s happening in the world. The Guardian is different. We have no billionaire owner or shareholders to consider. Our journalism is produced to serve the public interest – not profit motives. And we avoid the trap that befalls much US media: the tendency, born of a desire to please all sides, to engage in false equivalence in the name of neutrality. We always strive to be fair. But sometimes that means calling out the lies of powerful people and institutions – and making clear how misinformation and demagoguery can damage democracy. From threats to election integrity, to the spiraling climate crisis, to complex foreign conflicts, our journalists contextualize, investigate and illuminate the critical stories of our time. As a global news organization with a robust US reporting staff, we’re able to provide a fresh, outsider perspective – one so often missing in the American media bubble. Around the world, readers can access the Guardian’s paywall-free journalism because of our unique reader-supported model. That’s because of people like you. Our readers keep us independent, beholden to no outside influence and accessible to everyone – whether they can afford to pay for news, or not. 2
sandrewn Posted September 24 Posted September 24 10 Super Silky Spider Facts Spiders are fascinating creatures and spin fantastic yarns. Read about amazing spider feats and how their silk is contributing to modern science. 10 Super Silky Spider Facts - Owlcation 1
Bill W Posted September 24 Posted September 24 30 minutes ago, sandrewn said: I love this cartoon! Everybody webs their bed at one time or another! 1 1
Bill W Posted September 24 Posted September 24 32 minutes ago, sandrewn said: 10 Super Silky Spider Facts Spiders are fascinating creatures and spin fantastic yarns. Read about amazing spider feats and how their silk is contributing to modern science. 10 Super Silky Spider Facts - Owlcation Thank you for this information. I'm in awe as I watched the spiders shoot their webs, sometimes covering many meters (yards), although I'm sure the wind may have something to do with that as well. I was also fascinated by some of the other spiders, especially the spitting spider, who shoots out a web-like material from its mouth to entrap its prey, and apparently other spiders are on the menu as well. 2
sandrewn Posted September 26 Posted September 26 Baby jumping spiders are about the size of a bread crumb. But despite their tininess, they fit some amazing capacity in those microscopic eyes. 1 1
Bill W Posted September 26 Posted September 26 4 hours ago, sandrewn said: Baby jumping spiders are about the size of a bread crumb. But despite their tininess, they fit some amazing capacity in those microscopic eyes. In other words, baby spiders are BUG-EYED. 1 2
sandrewn Posted September 29 Posted September 29 You thought carrying your children was hard work? Creepy pictures show female amblypygi spider balancing 48 offspring on her back 2
Bill W Posted September 29 Posted September 29 33 minutes ago, sandrewn said: You thought carrying your children was hard work? Creepy pictures show female amblypygi spider balancing 48 offspring on her back And no strollers, car seats, or seat belts either. 3
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