Sep. 10th, 2012

urbpan: (Default)


Somehow I randomly discovered a new-to-me species of urban spider after 6 years of making it my primary hobby to catalog such things. This is the northern cobweb spider Steatoda borealis. Its main claim to fame is that people mistake it for a widow spider. Like other cobweb spiders (including widow spiders) it hangs around in a disorganized tangled web in a dusty unused place that might have flies or other insects around, such as an outbuilding or an unfinished basement. This spider is considered harmless, and may outcompete other, more dangerous spiders. I posted two pictures because one shows the T pattern on the abdomen better, while the other highlights the comical boxing-glove like appendages called "palps" that identify this individual as a male. I took these pictures somewhere at Franklin Park Zoo but I forget where--golf cart maybe?

Profile

urbpan: (Default)
urbpan

May 2017

S M T W T F S
 123456
78910111213
1415 1617181920
21222324252627
28293031   

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Apr. 6th, 2026 03:29 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios