24 June 2013
Monday macrobug: Jumping spiders that “Attack the Block”
Posted by Callan Bentley
A few weeks ago, I started seeing a new kind of jumping spider around our house. It was distinctive primarily because of its iridescent green chelicerae (think of them as “jaws”). I took a couple of blurry shots, but nothing I considered good enough for “Monday macrobug” treatment…
These spiders reminded me of the unique design for the alien invaders in the fun movie Attack the Block:
Clearly, they all go to the same tailor.
Then I saw another one, and got him (her?) to pose in a way that allowed me to focus in:
What a cool animal!
Callan Bentley is Associate Professor of Geology at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America. For his work on this blog, the National Association of Geoscience Teachers recognized him with the James Shea Award. He has also won the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council on Higher Education in Virginia, and the Biggs Award for Excellence in Geoscience Teaching from the Geoscience Education Division of the Geological Society of America. In previous years, Callan served as a contributing editor at EARTH magazine, President of the Geological Society of Washington and President the Geo2YC division of NAGT.
Another creature I hope to run into only at a distance next week 😉
This morning, I notice one of these spiders crawling along the inside frame of my bedroom window. Had never seen one before. I do not know if it is indigenous to Waterloo, Ontario where we live, or if the little critter hitched a ride inside our clothing from a recent visit to Beckley W. Virginia a few days ago. Do you know if they are prone to bite?
Best regards,
Gerry Minor
All spiders bite for a living – that’s how they eat. In general, I think jumping spiders are pretty non-agressive, and their venom isn’t something you need to fret about (unlike a black widow or something like that). So: no worries. Were you rafting in Beckley?
No, not white water rafting. Taking cover from the blinding snow storm while driving back to Canada.
Your spider photographs contained in your blog are very good
Regards,
Gerry