2018 August 13

 

    Last month Jochen Möhr subnitted some pictures of a spider from his home in Metchosin.  Dr Robb Bennett writes:  These are nice images. It would be nice if there were some indication of the size of the spiders.   However I’m pretty sure they are Parasteatoda tepidariorum. A cosmopolitan house spider – I usually see them under window sills or eaves where they have their retreats. Their prey capture webs are long sticky silk strands that extend down to the ground. They are quite efficient – I have seen lots of giant house spiders and big beetles in their webs and have heard reports of them even capturing European Wall Lizards.  

 

   Jeremy Tatum adds:  According to Web entries they can also inflict a fairly severe bite.  One site says severe pain for 16 hours.   I don’t know if this happens very often, but I thought I should mention it so that viewers can be suitably circumspect if they come across this spider.

 

 

American House Spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum (Ara.: Theridiidae)  Jochen Möhr

 

 

 

American House Spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum (Ara.: Theridiidae)  Jochen Möhr

 

   Bryan Gates sends a photograph of Amblyptilia pica from Oak Bay, August 13.

 

Amblyptilia pica (Lep.: Pterophoridae)  Bryan Gates