Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia) 102708

The photo on the right is of the same spider as shown on page 1, but was taken by Debbie shortly after its eggs were laid. Notice the shrunken abdomen, whose ovaries--paired, elongate structures that until recently were greatly distended with a full complement of fertilized eggs--are now empty, and the mass of silken mesh nearby that surrounds an egg case containing 25-600 (averaging 200) eggs. Oxyopids are aggressive biters, as many who spend time around them will attest. Peucetia viridans has also been observed squirting, or spitting, venom from its fangs, and it is said the spray can reach 8 inches. This venom is not dangerous to man, but a bite wound can swell and remain tender for several days. The female is most aggressive while guarding the egg case and, later, the hatchlings. The stance shown in this photo suggests a fierce demeanor, prepared to defend her offspring with great resolve. However, other photos Debbie sent in show the female quite some distance away, on the other side of a leaf, the egg mass out of sight. The eggs hatched days later; the hatchlings are shown on the NEXT PAGE ---- PAGE MENU:   1  *  2  *  3  *  4  *

     * TERMITE ENCOUNTERS  *  SNAKE ENCOUNTERS * SNAKE BITE FIRST AID * SNAKE EXCLUSION * SPIDER ENCOUNTERS * SPIDER BITE FIRST AID * SPIDER EXTERMINATION * PUSS CATERPILLAR ENCOUNTERS * PUSS CATERPILLAR FIRST AID * PUSS CATERPILLAR EXTERMINATION *  Assembled & Edited by Jerry Cates. Questions? Corrections? Comments? BUG ME RIGHT NOW! ---- Ph: 512-331-1111 ---- E-Mail ---- Privacy ----BugsInTheNews * --0a0s--