3:00 snapshot #1081: Saturday at home

100 More Species #56: Hacklemesh spider

Hacklemesh spider, family Amaurobiidae

I shared this photo with you just a few days ago, and temeres gave me a hint to its identification (thank you!) Also, my friend Jenn Forman-Orth who posts a Bug of the Day and is currently celebrating "Arachtober" posted one as well, steeling my resolve to include it in the 100 species project.

Hacklemesh spiders are also known as "night spiders," and as they are reclusive and nocturnal. Mine here was suddenly cast into the light when I pulled the cover from my barbecue grill. The way it is hiding its eyes with its forelegs is somewhat endearing. These spiders spin a small tangly web and hide in a silk tube waiting for insects to be caught. I have not yet intuited nor inferred what exactly is meant by "hacklemesh," but I do love the sound of the word.