Collecting spots in Florida

[dylanaxolotl]

I plan on visiting Florida in the spring or summer. I was wondering if anyone knew good collecting spots there. I am particularly looking for net casting spiders, regal jumping spiders, ctenid wandering spiders, Phidippus jumping spiders and Carolina wolf spiders. I'm also looking for other arachnids and insects I know they aren't on this thread but shhhhhh. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[Biollantefan54]

I have heard you can find ctenids under the bark of trees. Not really sure about the others. Maybe try going out at night with a headlamp to find the wolfs?

 

[dylanaxolotl]

I have heard you can find ctenids under the bark of trees. Not really sure about the others. Maybe try going out at night with a headlamp to find the wolfs?

Awesome thanks. I know what environments some of the others can be found in but not localities.

 

[Rogerpoco]

From what I understand-believe it or not,North Florida. I grew up in Lake City,my Father swears he sees whipscorpions in his cabinet shop every day. N. gordanus can be found there. Ocala,a short distance away,is the only known habitat for L. bishopi-Red widow spiders. Hot-list,may wanna check before collecting.
I remember seeing tiny scorpions as a kid growing up,and if you find a limerock covered road,look in the ditches for crawfish(another awesome,underrated invert pet).
Had a buddy from Jacksonville,chef @ TPC Sawgrass(got into bugs because of organic gardening,haha),sent me a box once,several exotics,but several regal jumpers and a couple TINY mantids(can't remember-Brunner's,mebbe)that were local,I believe.
I'd think instinct would drive you to Central/South Florida,but give North Florida a chance.
I think it may have to do with the huge variety of trees,I dunno.
Good Luck!!!

 

[Biollantefan54]

Not sure if you are interested in L. geometricus but if you are, and if it is anything like the beach in SC, look behind the dead bark of palm trees. You could find hundreds that way.

 

[dylanaxolotl]

Awesome! Thanks, I'll check em out. I'm especially interested in the bishopi. I have a friend in Jacksonville and all she could find was a huge leaf katydid, but I'll keep an eye out. South Florida seems like a good bet as well. I'll be peeling back bark and checking under palmetto leaves so I'll keep you guys posted if the trip is put into action.

From what I understand-believe it or not,North Florida. I grew up in Lake City,my Father swears he sees whipscorpions in his cabinet shop every day. N. gordanus can be found there. Ocala,a short distance away,is the only known habitat for L. bishopi-Red widow spiders. Hot-list,may wanna check before collecting.
I remember seeing tiny scorpions as a kid growing up,and if you find a limerock covered road,look in the ditches for crawfish(another awesome,underrated invert pet).
Had a buddy from Jacksonville,chef @ TPC Sawgrass(got into bugs because of organic gardening,haha),sent me a box once,several exotics,but several regal jumpers and a couple TINY mantids(can't remember-Brunner's,mebbe)that were local,I believe.
I'd think instinct would drive you to Central/South Florida,but give North Florida a chance.
I think it may have to do with the huge variety of trees,I dunno.
Good Luck!!!

 

[dylanaxolotl]

Although I went around and there are a couple of other places to find red widows. Ocala is the main place though.

From what I understand-believe it or not,North Florida. I grew up in Lake City,my Father swears he sees whipscorpions in his cabinet shop every day. N. gordanus can be found there. Ocala,a short distance away,is the only known habitat for L. bishopi-Red widow spiders. Hot-list,may wanna check before collecting.
I remember seeing tiny scorpions as a kid growing up,and if you find a limerock covered road,look in the ditches for crawfish(another awesome,underrated invert pet).
Had a buddy from Jacksonville,chef @ TPC Sawgrass(got into bugs because of organic gardening,haha),sent me a box once,several exotics,but several regal jumpers and a couple TINY mantids(can't remember-Brunner's,mebbe)that were local,I believe.
I'd think instinct would drive you to Central/South Florida,but give North Florida a chance.
I think it may have to do with the huge variety of trees,I dunno.
Good Luck!!!

 

[JAFUENTES]

What was the environment like. Was it in a building or an open wild range?

 

[dylanaxolotl]

What was the environment like. Was it in a building or an open wild range?

Wild range

 

[JAFUENTES]

Just like every where or would one have to really bend head over heels to find one?

 

[JAFUENTES]

Just like every where or would one have to really bend head over heels to find one?

I just want to take some photos of one.

 

[dylanaxolotl]

I just want to take some photos of one.

They generally live under fallen palmetto leaves.

 

[JAFUENTES]

Thanks, this will make my search for this photogenic arachnid much easier. Post some pictures of what you find.

 

[dylanaxolotl]

Thanks, this will make my search for this photogenic arachnid much easier. Post some pictures of what you find.

Tell me what you find. Dying to at least get an egg sac.

 

[JAFUENTES]

I'll see if I can find one first. And also how often did you come across them? Was it under every other fallen Palmento leaf or ever like 50 or so?

 

[dylanaxolotl]

I'll see if I can find one first. And also how often did you come across them? Was it under every other fallen Palmento leaf or ever like 50 or so?

I am not sure. This information is from friends and other sources. I would assume they're pretty rare.

 

[BobGrill]

North Florida honestly has the best "selection" IMO of most interesting arachnids. I find a lot of jumping spiders and Wolf spiders in my back yard during the spring and summer. A lot of times the wolfies are MM's out int he streets or on the sidwalks in my neighborhood (I even once found one in my shower!). It's been rather chilly down here lately, so they obviously aren't going to be out and about as much, but knowing our irregular weather patterns, it likely won't last very long . Cellar spiders are pretty common here too, we often let them live in our garage, since they keep the mosquitoes and such in check. I have seen evidence of pursewebs in my yard as well.

 

[dylanaxolotl]

North Florida honestly has the best "selection" IMO of most interesting arachnids. I find a lot of jumping spiders and Wolf spiders in my back yard during the spring and summer. A lot of times the wolfies are MM's out int he streets or on the sidwalks in my neighborhood (I even once found one in my shower!). It's been rather chilly down here lately, so they obviously aren't going to be out and about as much, but knowing our irregular weather patterns, it likely won't last very long . Cellar spiders are pretty common here too, we often let them live in our garage, since they keep the mosquitoes and such in check. I have seen evidence of pursewebs in my yard as well.

Thanks! Especially looking for purse webs and jumpers.

 

[Biollantefan54]

North Florida honestly has the best "selection" IMO of most interesting arachnids. I find a lot of jumping spiders and Wolf spiders in my back yard during the spring and summer. A lot of times the wolfies are MM's out int he streets or on the sidwalks in my neighborhood (I even once found one in my shower!). It's been rather chilly down here lately, so they obviously aren't going to be out and about as much, but knowing our irregular weather patterns, it likely won't last very long . Cellar spiders are pretty common here too, we often let them live in our garage, since they keep the mosquitoes and such in check. I have seen evidence of pursewebs in my yard as well.

You live in North Florida and find all those inverts but don't have a photo thread for all the things you find there??? :O

 

[Phidippuszk]

I plan on visiting Florida in the spring or summer. I was wondering if anyone knew good collecting spots there. I am particularly looking for net casting spiders, regal jumping spiders, ctenid wandering spiders, Phidippus jumping spiders and Carolina wolf spiders. I'm also looking for other arachnids and insects I know they aren't on this thread but shhhhhh. Any tips would be appreciated.

I live in citrus county right next to Ocala an lake city I go collect regius and audax everywhere. Just today I collected 2 beautiful males, juveniles but beautiful. I find most of them in the scrub palms in fields or along powerlines. Well hope this helps good luck.