True Spiders of Kentucky

[3skulls]

Spring has arrived and the spiders are out. I'll be posting all the true spiders I find here.
As some of you know, I'm not good at IDing
So if you see something and know what
it is, please share.

I'll start with one I found today. I think I have this one right.

***Fixed***
Rabidosa punctulara

 

[3skulls]

A member was nice enough to help me ID these next 2

Gladicosa pulchra


Herpyllus ecclesiasticus

 

[3skulls]

***Fixed***
Latrodectus mactans

 

[Ciphor]

Hey Skulls,

The first spider you are correct on genus Rabidosa, but the species does not look like R. rabida. It looks much more like R. punctulata. There is actually an easy way to tell the two apart, and confirm the ID. Just check the spiders belly.

R. rabida has an even colored tan belly. http://bugguide.net/node/view/355570/bgimage

R. punctulata has a tan belly with random black spots, its actually named the dotted wolf spider. http://bugguide.net/node/view/617474/bgimage

The other species have distinct belly markings as well, with the exception of two which are less then uncommon anyway so you likely wont bump into them.

The last spider is a mature male southern widow- Latrodectus mactans http://bugguide.net/node/view/437883/bgimage

 

[3skulls]

Thanks Ciphor!

I checked the belly and you were correct.
The 2 I had right where the ones you already gave me.

I'm bringing my book to work with me. I'm hoping that looking up the ones you have helped me with, will help me find the ones I dont know. Get a better understand on how to find them.

The Widow is one I found last year. Found about 5 males, never a female.
He lasted about 2 weeks with me and never ate.

We have a ton of spiders around work so ill be posting more soon. I also hope to get better shots with a real camera.

 

[3skulls]

Saw my first Jumper this year. I held on to this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK8n1GBrAO4&sns=em

 

[3skulls]

Gladicosa pulchra laying her 2nd sac.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aszbO-lWP4g&sns=em

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geGZv8xa93U&sns=em

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoVQVUnNahs&sns=em

 

[husoldire]

Saw my first Jumper this year. I held on to this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK8n1GBrAO4&sns=em[/QUOTE

everyone is finding male P. audaxes (like one in video) but i cant! i have 4 mature females!!!!! where are the mature males im sure they would like it here! lol

 

[Ciphor]

Must be nice to have big awesome jumpers in your back yard

 

[3skulls]

Jumpers are a favorite for sure. They were a big help getting me into this hobby. Always enjoyed finding them when I was a kid.

She is the only one I have seen so far this year. We have lots around us so I could keep an eye for you guys, if you want some.

Last year I had 4-5 lay sacs for me

 

[husoldire]

Jumpers are a favorite for sure. They were a big help getting me into this hobby. Always enjoyed finding them when I was a kid.

She is the only one I have seen so far this year. We have lots around us so I could keep an eye for you guys, if you want some.

Last year I had 4-5 lay sacs for me

please try to find me a mature male lol

 

[3skulls]

What do I look for to determine its a male?
When I get home I can check that one out.

 

[husoldire]

What do I look for to determine its a male?
When I get home I can check that one out.

Big pedipalps
Longer front legs
The white is brighter

the one in your video is a male i believe

 

[3skulls]

Cool. I'll double check it.
PM me if you really want him

 

[The Snark]

What do I look for to determine its a male?
When I get home I can check that one out.

Often noted carrying a bouquet of flowers and humming to itself. Actually with jumpers this is very fun and rewarding aspect. Just studying them and their habits during mating time you will eventually notice the males and females have distinctly different habits when they are out in courting mode. The coy females and the ridiculous all in wrestling matches, often including spelunking aerial battles, among the males.

 

[Ciphor]

Cool. I'll double check it.
PM me if you really want him

For this species its actually pretty easy. They are visually built much different. Females have lots of girth, are large and compact looking. Males are skinny with much longer legs compared to their body.

 

[3skulls]

A few photos from yesterday.