Home › Forums › West Seattle Rants & Raves › Some thoughts on spiders . . .
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June 22, 2011 at 8:22 pm #702457
TishMemberNo, not brave. It’s currently trapped in a cup in my bathroom. Eek!
June 22, 2011 at 9:12 pm #702458
B-squaredParticipantGood spider info at burke museum
http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/spidermyth/
although the link for ID’ing a spider would be difficult to follow as it involves some pretty close-up looks at the spider.
spiders get a bum rap. they are really cool and beneficial to have around.
June 22, 2011 at 9:13 pm #702459
maplesyrupParticipantI’m no expert but I remember reading some time ago that those huge brown spiders look menacing but are really the good guys; they kill hobo spiders. If you see what looks like a smaller version of those huge brown ones, kill it as it’s probably a hobo. But leave the big ones alone.
I also remember reading that they’ve probably been in your house all along but tend to come out more in the spring. So we don’t worry about those guys. We’ll move them sometimes but that’s about it.
BTW I think they’re kind of cool. I’d much rather have those than the black widows I used to find when I was growing up in another state.
June 22, 2011 at 10:50 pm #702460
anonymeParticipantIt’s difficult to tell from the photo, but if the spider is huge, fast, and long-legged it could well be Tegenaria gigantea. There are 3 species of the genus Tegenaria in Seattle, the “hobo spider” being one of them. They’re house spiders, but also live in garages, rockeries, etc. In any event, it would be foolish and unnecessary to kill it. Most of the evidence points to the hobo spider fear frenzy as fabricated.
Photos of “common spiders” will not help you much unless you already have some knowledge of arachnids. In fact, visual identification can be very misleading. As Rod Crawford of the Burke Museum (and author of the aforementioned website) will tell you, most or many spider species must be identified by microscopic examination of genitalia. I’ve had countless people swear to me they had brown recluse spiders in their basements (Tegenaria) and/or black widows (Steatoda, usually). Neither are found in the Puget Sound area, with the exception of a few black widows in the dry microclimates of Whidbey Island.
June 22, 2011 at 10:56 pm #702461
TishMemberOkay, trying again. Here are some better pics. If it’s harmless, I’ll release it…in my brother’s house :)
and
June 22, 2011 at 11:03 pm #702462
TishMember@anonyme — I love all your posts on this this thread. Thanks for responding!
It’s definitely not a giant house spider, or at least, I don’t think it is. I’ve seen plenty of those throughout the years, and this spider doesn’t have the leg span or look like the other giant house spiders I’ve come across over the years.
As for size, I’d say this spider is around the size of a quarter. Any thoughts? I know pictures are not the best identifier, but even an educated guess would be helpful.
June 22, 2011 at 11:05 pm #702463
anonymeParticipantThis is not a house spider. It should be placed outside. If I’m not mistaken, it is a member of the family Gnaphosidae, although identification from a photo is impossible.
June 22, 2011 at 11:16 pm #702464
TishMemberThanks! I’ll release him in my yard right now (though I’m a little disappointed that I won’t be releasing him in my brother’s house)
June 22, 2011 at 11:26 pm #702465
anonymeParticipantI’ll go out on a limb and guess that this spider is Scotaphaeus blackwalli, in the gnaphosid family. It’s commonly called the ‘mouse spider’ due to the glaucous patch on the abdomen. They are outdoor hunters but occasionally wander into houses on their travels. I tried to insert a photo but couldn’t get it to work; I know a fair amount about spiders, but I’m a bit hindered technologically! Try googling the species, lots of pics available. Good luck!
June 22, 2011 at 11:31 pm #702466
anonymeParticipantCould also be Zelotes…
June 22, 2011 at 11:59 pm #702467
TishMemberI looked up pictures on Google, and I think you’re right! Thanks again! I’m relatively new to the Pacific Northwest, and I appreciate the opportunity to learn a little more about all the species that share my living space. :)
June 23, 2011 at 12:01 am #702468
anonymeParticipantTish, welcome. Where are you from?
June 23, 2011 at 12:22 am #702469
TishMemberI’m originally from Southern CA. I came up here for grad school and decided to stay when a full-time faculty position opened up at a local community college. How about you? Are you from here originally? Is your knowledge of arachnids associated with your profession or is it a hobby of yours?
Feel free to respond off-list. My e-mail address is Tish.Lopez at gmail dot com. Thanks again!
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