Non-dangerous and poisonous species of spiders in Ukraine: what to expect from an encounter with arthropods?

Spiders are one of the oldest inhabitants on our planet; they originated long before the appearance of man. Spiders live in every part of our planet, and the territory of Ukraine is not spared. Every day we meet them in houses, on tree branches or under our feet. As a rule, we don’t pay attention and bypass it. In the climatic conditions of our country, there live mainly representatives who do not pose a danger to human life.

But, do not forget that in a garden bed or among a pile of stones you can find a dangerous arthropod. Let's take a closer look at the poisonous species of spiders that live next door to us.

Poisonous spiders that can be found in Ukraine.

Karakurt

This is the undoubted leader of this list - the most poisonous spider in Ukraine. The toxin released from their glands is 15 times more deadly than rattlesnake venom. The body color is black, with red spots on the abdomen. Females reach a length of up to 20 mm, males – 7 mm. This species of spider is classified as a member of the black widow genus; often after mating, the female eats the male. Habitat: southern Ukraine, Azov region, Black Sea steppes, Donetsk region.

You need to be especially careful during a hiking trip, carefully check your clothes, dishes, and shoes. They reproduce once every 10-12 years. The lair where the cocoons are stored can be a rodent hole or a hole in the soil. The cocoon holds from 100 to 700 eggs. Karakurts hunt at night; if they are not disturbed, they will not be the first to attack. The reaction from the bite is immediate, and after 15 minutes it spreads throughout the body. There is a burning pain in the chest, lower back, and abdominal cavity. If the toxin enters the bloodstream, severe poisoning occurs, shortness of breath, dizziness, and numbness of the limbs.

The bite is especially dangerous for young children and people with chronic diseases. A special serum is used for treatment.

Tarantula

A large (size up to 3 cm) spider from the wolf spider family. The South Russian species is widespread on the territory of Ukraine. Although they belong to poisonous spiders, the poison is 50 times less toxic than that of karakurt. The whole body is covered with thick bristles, the color is brownish-red on top and black below. Due to the specific structure of the visual organs, the horizon is 360˚. It can be found in gardens, fields, orchards and near reservoirs in the Donetsk and Sumy regions. The diet consists of beetles, cockroaches, crickets, and caterpillars. Lives near vertically dug holes in the ground. Hunts at night, before an attack, warns the enemy by standing on its hind legs.

It breeds at the end of summer; the female attaches the cocoon in which the eggs are stored to her body and wears it until the young are mature. One offspring can be up to 50 individuals. The venom of this spider may be fatal for some animals , but it does not pose a threat to human life. The pain from the bite resembles that of a wasp or hornet. The reaction manifests itself in the form of poisoning, local edema, weakness, and sometimes the bite site turns yellow.

Argiope

Belongs to the family of Orb-Weaving Spiders. It has bright, black and yellow stripes on the abdomen and an ash color below, the limbs are long and striped. The body length of females is up to 3 cm, males are smaller, reaching up to 5 mm. This spider is also called the “zebra spider” because of its specific color. Geographical location is south-east of Ukraine, but with the onset of global warming, the habitat is expanding inland. Now they can be found in the Dnepropetrovsk and Kropyvnytskyi regions. Arthropods live among lush vegetation, in forests, fields and meadows. They live in small colonies of about 20 individuals.

The spider weaves a web of an interesting zigzag shape, which is hard to miss. The network stretches between several stems, and various insects (mosquitoes, flies, grasshoppers) easily get into it. The spider waits for prey in the center of its web, hanging head down.

Their poison does not pose a great danger to humans.

Only allergy sufferers should be wary of them, as they cause a severe allergic reaction. The female Argiope attacks only if you try to pick her up. During a bite, the poison penetrates deep into the skin, causing quite painful sensations. After a bite, an abscess and inflammation develop; in more severe cases, tissue necrosis may occur.

Cheiracanthium punctorium

Another representative of poisonous spiders in Ukraine. Body color is light yellow, sometimes cream or grayish. The size reaches about 1 cm, the front legs are longer than the rest. Changes in climate have made adjustments to the location of this species. Recently, it can be found on the territory of Ukraine, namely in the Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye regions. The spider can be seen in trees, tall grass and bushes. Will not refuse to feast on mosquitoes, small insects and flies. Like other spiders, this species is nocturnal, but its characteristic feature is that it is a wandering spider and does not weave webs.

During the hunt, it uses tactile reflexes; one unsuccessful touch of the victim is enough to instantly capture the prey. The toxins contained in the venom of this arthropod are not deadly, but will cause a lot of trouble. The bite site is pierced by a strong, burning pain , which gradually disperses. After some time, the lymph nodes swell and the bite site becomes very swollen.

The muscles near the affected area weaken, sometimes shortness of breath and nausea may occur. A particularly dangerous bite for children.

Is the wasp spider poisonous or not?

The arthropod has poisonous glands that produce a toxic substance.
When it enters the victim's body, it causes muscle spasm and immobilization. The poisonous brunette is not distinguished by its aggressive disposition and does not attack unnecessarily. For humans, its presence nearby does not pose a danger. However, if the argiope feels a threat to his own life, the attack will follow. Due to its unusual color, wasp spiders are kept at home as pets. They live in specially equipped aquariums and feed on insects. Feeding should be done every other day. up to 1.5 years.

The karakurt spider is one of the most dangerous creatures on earth. Despite its small size and non-threatening appearance, the karakurt's venom is 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake and 50 times stronger than that of a tarantula. For a horse or camel, a karakurt bite is often fatal.

The karakurt spider is one of the most dangerous creatures on earth

Without prompt medical intervention and professional help, a meeting with a person can also result in death, although such cases are extremely rare. The black spider evokes mystical associations due to the presence of 13 bright red spots on the body and cannibal family traditions. Kalmyk shamans use a dangerous creature in some rituals. There is a common belief that karakurts live only in deserts and do not pose a danger to residents of the central and even southern steppe and forest regions, but this is not true. Recently, the migration of biting “robbers” to the north has been obvious, and climate warming has led to the fact that karakurts are recorded in regions where they have never been observed before.

The poisonous karakurt spider belongs to the order of spiders of the family of web spiders from the genus of black widows. Translated from the Turkic language, the name is literally translated as a black worm. The Latin name Latrodectus tredecimguttatus reflects the external characteristics - 13 points on the back and the essence of the spider (biting robber). Like the karakurt, which is sometimes called the steppe spider? In terms of size, the spider belongs to the medium arachnids. The size of the male is 4-7 mm, the female karakurt is 2-3 times larger and can reach 20 mm. The body of the eight-legged spider is black, with a pronounced abdomen. Both males and females have red spots or dots on the upper side of the abdomen. On the lower part of the abdomen a clear scarlet pattern is visible, similar to the outline of an hourglass. The spot on the abdomen often has a snow-white halo. Adults (males) can be completely black. Karakurt is a predator; it feeds on insects, which it uses a web to catch.

Despite its small size and non-threatening appearance, the karakurt's venom is 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake and 50 times stronger than that of a tarantula.

White karakurt, also related to web spiders, has a white or yellowish color. There is no hourglass pattern or spots on the body, but there are 4 indentations forming a rectangle. White spiders are much less poisonous, their bite is not dangerous to people, although the venom of the white karakurt is similar in its toxicological properties and effects on the human body and animals to the venom of the black widow. White karakurts can be found in Russia and neighboring countries, but the main habitat is located further south - in North Africa, the Middle East, and also in Central Asia

Let's focus on the black widow karakurt as the most dangerous representative of the internet, which you can meet at domestic resorts

Karakurts are distinguished by their fertility; in the southern regions there are periodic surges in the birth rate, which entail an increase in the number of casualties among people and loss of livestock. Poisonous spiders in Kazakhstan and Crimea attack dozens of people every year, but serious consequences occur extremely rarely. The female lays more than 1,000 eggs per year, which are placed in a protective cocoon. The newly born spiders continue to live inside the cocoon and emerge from there only next spring. Puberty occurs 2-3 months after the spiderlings leave their original home. Eggs are laid in holes on the ground or in rodent burrows. Fertilization occurs during the hottest months of summer. After mating, the female karakurt eats the male, although there are exceptions - for unknown reasons, the female can either destroy the male before mating or leave him alive after fertilization.

Where are poisonous spiders found in Russia?

Arachnids prefer warm climates and southern regions, but they can also be found in more northern areas, which is explained by global warming.

Figure 9. Agriope is one of the most poisonous spiders

Poisonous spiders of the south of Russia:

1. Karakurt
   - Black Sea regions, Southern Urals and Caucasus, Dagestan, also seen in Saratov, Orenburg, Rostov, Volgograd and Kurgan regions.
2. Bag spiders
   - mainly live in the steppes of the Belgorod and Volgograd regions.
3. South Russian tarantulas
   - in addition to the southern regions, are found in the Kursk, Lipetsk, Tambov, Saratov and Astrakhan regions.

Poisonous spiders of central Russia: Cheiracanthium phalanx is the most famous and most dangerous in this region, and Chiracantidae are found in bushes and grass, in fields, gardens and lawns.

Poisonous spiders are also not uncommon in central Russia - these include: various subspecies of cross spiders, black thickhead and argiope.

It’s easy to notice that poisonous spiders are found everywhere in Russia:

1. The common karakurt can be found not only in the southern regions, but also in the Moscow region.
2. Crossworts, in particular steatoda, live in almost any tall steppe grass, on lawns, gardens, forests and parks.
3. A false black widow and a misgir may well climb into a human home and hide there in a secluded place.

For this reason, it is highly recommended not to contact these creatures, especially if you are not sure that they are not dangerous.

You will find more detailed information about the most poisonous spiders in our country in the video.

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28.12.2018 14 685

Harmless

The following families are very common in Belarus: funnelbirds, hunters, sidewalkers and horses. Besides them, you can find 4 species of wolf spiders there. Apart from family and protective coloration, these night hunters have nothing in common with the South Russian tarantula, which is also a wolf spider.

Funnel

Funnelfish live in moist, shaded places, on the forest floor, under snags and at the foot of bushes. They often settle in village houses. People gravitate toward human habitation:

• funeral;
• brownies;
• attics.

Hunters

They live on the banks of reservoirs, of which there are plenty in Belarus. There are only 3 pisaurid spiders found in the country. Spiders hunt with their hind legs on coastal vegetation and their front legs on the water surface. These hunting spiders can glide across the surface of a body of water like water striders.

Checking the shoes

As soon as it got warmer, the ticks multiplied, the snakes crawled out to warm their bellies in the sun, and a whole swarm of wasps flew out to sting.
Now it’s the turn of the South Russian tarantulas, which, scientists say, are very numerous in Ukraine. These spiders especially proliferated in the Zaporozhye region. Entomologists explain that insects have simply begun their active season. The females crawled out of their deep earthen burrows, spun webs and laid eggs. Future offspring are carried on the abdomen, so as not to let them out of sight. “There are a lot of tarantulas in Ukraine,” Viktor Brigadirenko, candidate of biological sciences, told KP in Ukraine. — You can meet them in any steppe area. Only the vegetation should be sparse. Insects dig holes there. At the end of July and beginning of August, spiderlings emerge from the cocoon. After about a week, the female comes out of the hole and shakes off the babies one by one.

Summer residents and residents of rural areas who work in their gardens, as well as those who relax in nature, are most often at risk of encountering a furry tarantula.

A female spider that has lost her burrow may accidentally hide under household objects in the courtyards of residential buildings, or in shoes left on the threshold. So it’s better to dust off your favorite sneakers or sneakers once again.

Argiope (zebra spider).

Another poisonous spider in Ukraine is the argiope. It is also called the zebra spider. You can easily recognize this representative of the spider animal world by its brightly colored abdomen with yellow and black stripes. Inhabits the Kerch Peninsula among the rocks. You can also stumble upon it in shallow ditches and holes. Argiope is a “global warming indicator.” Its natural habitat is forest-steppe and steppe parts of the land, which are characterized by a dry, hot climate. But every year these spiders migrate further north. And if earlier the zebra spider traditionally lived in Crimea and south-eastern Ukraine, but now it has “reached” the Dnepropetrovsk and Kirovograd regions. The Argiope web has a complex structure; the spider is located in its center and hangs with its belly up. It's quite easy to spot a web - it consists of zigzag stripes going up and down.

Families

In Russia the following families of arthropods are represented:

• wolves;
• hunters;
• funnel;
• horses;
• cibeids;
• diggers;
• black widows;
• steatodes;
• side walkers;
• knitting spiders;
• orb weavers.

These are not all species of spiders living in Russia, but a significant part of them. Most arthropods are able to live in any conditions. Photos and names of cosmopolitan spiders can be found in the description of the fauna of any of the regions of Russia. Some prefer a dry, hot climate and live in the southern part with an abundance of steppes. Others need water or damp places; such arthropods are usually found in the central part, where there are many forests with lakes and swamps.

Opiliones (cleaner)

The arachnids, known as Opilions ("catchers", "daddy long legs"), are a species that are often encountered by humans. They are the subject of an urban legend which claims that cleaners are super-venomous, more venomous than any spider, but are unable to bite humans due to their lack of fangs.

This is incorrect for several reasons. No known species has venom glands or fangs bearing chelicerae. They have smaller, tick-like fangs that cannot damage human skin.

Cases of opilion bites are rare. None of the recorded bites from this species have had lasting effects.

The term “daddy long legs” also refers to pigtails entering the house. This species can bite humans, but its venom has no effect other than mild discomfort at the site of the bite.

Photo: what dangerous spiders attack city apartments in Ukraine

Spiders have always actively lived in rural houses, country houses and cottages. But the trend of recent years has shown that they are expanding their habitat and are increasingly settling in city apartments.

Why did spiders move to the city?

Scientists find several simple explanations for this. Firstly, human activity and its interference in nature are too aggressive, so many living beings adapt and change their place of residence.

Secondly, due to the numerous number of nuclear power plants, plants, factories, global warming, the absence of truly frosty winters and a shift in climate zones have been observed for a decade now. And if spiders were previously found in large numbers in the southern parts of the country, today they make their way into high-rise apartments even in temperate climates.

Well, and thirdly, many Ukrainians do not live in new buildings, but in old standard high-rise buildings with cracked walls and abandoned basements. There, multiplying en masse, spiders of various species begin to enter apartments - through ventilation or entrance doors.

The service https://dez-master.com.ua/unichtozhenie-paukov-v-kharkove will help you remove uninvited and often dangerous guests. We will tell you where spiders settle in apartments and what types of arthropods are the most dangerous.

Manifestations of a tarantula spider bite

The poison of this arthropod is also not dangerous to human life. In recent years, a new trend in fashion for keeping such pets has appeared, but all the bitten owners remained healthy after being bitten. As a rule, they go to the doctor to a greater extent to prevent possible complications, since not everyone knows that their pet is harmless.

Tarantula spiders are dangerous to their victims in nature - lizards, frogs and other small animals. This arthropod usually bites a person using the so-called dry method and does not release poison into the bitten skin. The relative danger for the owner in such cases is the possible infection of the bite area by bacteria. To prevent such complications, it is enough to treat the wound with an antiseptic solution and apply a protective bandage.

Poisonous spiders found in Ukraine

Poisonous species produce a substance that negatively affects human health. Knowing the dangerous spiders of Ukraine will protect you from unpleasant consequences, so you need to know the enemy “by sight.”

Tarantula

Tarantulas are a well-known poisonous family. These spiders in the south of Ukraine are represented by the South Russian species. People sometimes call it “mizgir”. Adults reach 3 cm and have a hairy body. The color is brown, and the bottom is painted black. They live in desert and steppe zones, digging deep holes up to 50 cm. Insects become victims of the tarantula when they sometimes climb into their underground home or move close to the entrance to it.

An unpleasant fact about the South Russian tarantula: they jump well. If a spider senses danger emanating from a person, it may suddenly attack him.

But rumors about its aggressiveness and threat to human life are somewhat exaggerated. The tarantula attacks only in exceptional cases for the purpose of self-defense. At the same time, before the attack, he warns his opponent by taking a threatening pose: standing on his hind legs.

The bite of the South Russian tarantula is similar to the bite of a wasp. The venom causes local inflammation and pain. The skin turns yellow and remains that way for about 2 months. This does not pose a serious threat to health, with the exception of individual intolerance to the substances that make up the poison and an allergic reaction.

Karakurt

Karakurt is much more dangerous. In 4% of cases of its bites, this ends in the death of a person. Karakuta poison disrupts the functioning of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Arrhythmia, convulsions, asthma attacks and heart failure appear. Biologists say that the venom of this spider is 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake, and 50 times more toxic than the venom of tarantulas.

The most dangerous spider in Ukraine lives in the southern steppes. In hot summers, karakurts migrate to the northern regions, so they sometimes attack people where their existence is unknown. It is not easy to notice the spider, because the size of females reaches only 2 cm, and males are even smaller - 7 mm. The color is black, which makes it difficult to notice the poisonous arthropod in a timely manner. Juveniles have red spots on their bellies. As in the case of tarantulas, they attack a person who poses a threat to them.

Argiope

Other names for the species are “zebra spider” and “wasp spider” because its abdomen is colored with bright yellow and black stripes. The original habitat is the Black Sea region, but in recent years it has spread to more northern regions. They are often found in the Kirovograd and Dnepropetrovsk regions.

The size of females is about 1.5 cm, males are 0.7 cm. Argiope webs are characterized by zigzag weaving. The venom of the zebra spider is not dangerous to human health; it causes only a slight inflammation in the bite area, which quickly resolves without treatment. Typically, argiope attacks only if a person has picked it up.

This is not a complete list of species inhabiting the territory of Ukraine. Their diversity is of biological value for the country. When encountering a spider in nature, be it a non-poisonous or dangerous species, it is better to avoid it. These arthropods perform an important function by maintaining the insect population in acceptable numbers. Knowing what spiders are found in Ukraine, you can predict what to expect from meeting them.

Karakurt

Description of karakurt

The last one on this list is the most poisonous spider in Ukraine - the karakurt, also known as the Black Widow. Karakurts are most people's nightmare, and for good reason. This creature looks very beautiful, its black body is crowned with a scattering of bright red spots scattered along the upper side of the abdomen. In adults, the red spots disappear and the spider becomes completely black. The sizes are small - females grow up to 2 cm, and males up to 0.7 cm. Distributed in the southern regions of the country. Prefers to hide during the daytime in tall grass, under stones, in small ditches, crevices, etc.

Karakurt nutrition

Karakurts are not very picky about what they eat, so they eat any insects and more. Despite their size, widows are able to eat small rodents and small lizards without any problems. Thanks to their venom, these spiders will not be left without prey, even in very unfavorable years.

Karakurt poison

The widow's bite is very dangerous for humans. After 10-15 minutes, severe pain begins to spread throughout the body. Shortness of breath, rapid pulse, headache and dizziness, pallor, tremor, and vomiting appear. Under no circumstances should you suck out the poison, because it is not of protein origin and can poison even through the skin, not to mention saliva and the tongue. The bite site should be burned with several matches, a twig or anything else, this will slow down the spread of the poison, after which you should call an ambulance, reporting the bite or ask to be taken to the nearest hospital.

Figure 2 -

Poisonous spiders of Ukraine

Knowing those types of arthropods that are dangerous to humans and can harm their health will help you avoid most troubles.

The most famous poisonous species of spiders, common in the forest and steppe areas of Ukraine, are the tarantula, karakurt, black widow and argiope.

Tarantula

The largest representative of arthropods, it lives in the steppes, deserts and forest-steppe zones of Ukraine. In the world, the number of species of tarantulas exceeds 900, but in the southern regions you can more often find the South Russian or Central European tarantula, which is popularly called Mizgir.

Its size can reach up to 3.5 cm, and the body is covered with thick brown-brown hairs of different shades, the abdomen is black. The paws are also furry, which helps protect against enemies.

During the daytime, tarantulas usually live in burrows that they dig themselves. Their depth sometimes reaches 60 cm, at the end there is a room.

At night, the spider usually goes out hunting, preferring to catch insects. It is not aggressive by nature, but can bite a person in self-defense.

Tarantula

In preparation for an attack, the tarantula takes a fighting stance, raising its front legs and leaning on its hind legs, and then jumps and bites. The sensation of a spider bite is similar to that of a wasp. The consequence is pain (numbness and fever) and inflammation of the surrounding soft tissue. The skin usually turns yellow, and the color lasts for 2 months. Allergic reactions that threaten human life are possible.

Black widow in Ukraine

These arthropods got their name from the female’s ability to eat the male who fertilized her after mating. They are distinguished by strong poison and inconspicuous appearance. Black widows live in holes and crevices in the ground, in ravines, tree hollows, and can penetrate into people's homes.

The size of an adult does not exceed 2 cm, the body color is black and shiny, and there is a noticeable reddish or pink spot on the back, similar to an hourglass. Under this coloration you can also find a spider of the steothod variety, but its spot is orange or white.

In recent years, such spiders have begun to appear in the Donetsk region, migrating from more southern regions. They weave trapping nets, along which they move using curved bristles on short legs resembling a comb. Such an arthropod can attack only if it is stepped on or pressed; females are considered more aggressive.

The negative effects of black widow spider venom are quite strong:

• erythema at the site of the bite (redness in the form of a circle);
• muscle spasms and pain;
• the appearance of drooling and sweating;
• jump in blood pressure (hypertensive), tachycardia;
• shortness of breath and vomiting, pain in the abdomen and head;
• renal failure may occur;
• anxiety and disruption of the nervous system.

Reproduction and life cycle

All representatives reproduce by laying eggs. Males do not have a penis. They have to drain the seminal fluid into a reservoir made from the web. They pick it up with the pedipalps. How spiders reproduce:

1. Marriage games. If the behavior of the male does not correspond to the species, then the female may mistake the suitor for prey and eat it.
2. The male transfers the seed from the abdominal cavity.
3. Attached to the female with the help of growths on the limbs.
4. Inserts the pedipalp into the female's genital opening and fertilizes. Spider sperm are packed in sacs.
5. The seed capsules end up in a sperm storage container.
6. From there, the fallopian tubes lead to the ovaries, which can be paired or unpaired.
7. The eggs grow on the surface of the ovaries.
8. The ripened ones move inside them.
9. From there they go out through the oviducts.
10. The female wraps them in a web, hides them or carries them with her everywhere.
11. The eggs hatch into completely unformed individuals. At this stage they are called nymphs.
12. Newborns grow and molt up to 3 times.

Many species of spiders care for their young. A South Russian tarantula takes eggs out of a burrow and warms them in the sun. After hatching, it loses interest in children.

Wolf spiders do not abandon their brood even after birth. Small arthropods climb onto their mother. They live under her protection until they get stronger. And the offspring of Coelotes terrestris do not leave their parents for a whole month. There are also cuckoo spiders that drop their eggs into other people's nests.

The life of spiders is very dependent on the weather. They are accustomed to performing important tasks on the same days every year (mating, laying eggs, settling the young). But if they foresee worsening weather, they change plans. They can even hang their web at a different angle, sensing the approach of a hurricane or thunderstorm. Nature has endowed spiders with an amazing sense of smell. These creatures can anticipate bad weather 7-8 hours in advance.

What to do if you are bitten

First of all, you need to remain calm and call a doctor. It is advisable to catch the spider and place it in a durable container. This will help the specialist determine the type and degree of poisonousness of the spider. Then you need to try to prevent the poison from spreading throughout the body. Ice is applied to the bite site, and the bitten limb is raised higher. The wound needs to be treated with an antiseptic.

Further treatment depends on the severity of the bite. If no blister appears after eight hours of the bite, there is no severe pain and there are no signs of tissue necrosis, then serious treatment may not be required. If severe symptoms develop, corticosteroids are sometimes recommended. Dalsone, heparin, nitroglycerin and other drugs are also used. If severe necrosis develops, necrotic tissue must be removed surgically, and if a secondary infection develops, it must be treated. The ulcer usually heals on its own, but sometimes skin grafts are necessary. If systemic intoxication has developed, patients are hospitalized.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=wjEnV1UeGD8

In the habitat of recluse spiders, in order to avoid being bitten, it is recommended to be careful with boxes, carefully inspect clothing and shoes, wear gloves when working with firewood, and also seal cracks through which spiders can crawl into the home.

Lethally destroy

In most cases, spiders do not pose any problem for humans. How to comb the wattles and cobwebs along the coddles. However, the classification based on the level of severity is more practical, since there are certain types of deadly dangers for people.

In simple terms:

• black widows, which include karakurt;
• Brazilian spiders;
• brown spider spider.

Black widows are so named because after mating the female meets the male. Spiders of this kind are widespread on all continents. To catch species, vikorist and pavutina yak laso. Not all species of this kind are unsafe for humans. The biggest celebrity was taken by an American black widow.

Pivnichno-American black widow

There are 5 species of black widows on the southern continent. Mostly the bark of these spiders is black with red spots on the cherevts.

Important!

Not all black widows suffer from black hair.

This type of spider can be identified by its characteristic feature: long legs, as can be clearly seen in the photograph.

Pivnichno-American black widow

The bite feels like a pin prick. Through the years, fleshy spasms appear and spread throughout the entire body. Before the orb appeared, 5% of victims died from the bites of the black widow.

New American black widows

New and Central America has 8 species. The life and current appearance of these populations is small, since the places where they live are sparsely populated and have not been seriously studied.

Karakurt

18 types of different stages of production are found in Eurasia and Africa. In Eurasia, black widow spiders are called karakurt.

The name of the spider has a Turkic and Russian meaning of “black hrobak”. The “classic” black karakurt Latrodectus tredecimguttatus lives in primitive regions of the continent, including the Mediterranean and Crimea. Due to global warming, steel has been lost in Azerbaijan, Altai and the Novosibirsk region. The ideal habitat for this karakurt spider is warm autumn and sunny summer.

The names and photos of spiders do not agree with one another: this type of karakurt has large red spots on the dorsal side of the spider. The fermentation can vary greatly: Eurasian species interbreed with each other and the spider can be purely black in color.

Karakurt black and white

Note!

The white karakurt (Latrodectus pallidus) is sleeping. The way white karakurts look is uncharacteristic for these species of arthropods, and they may not be held in high esteem. White karakurts are less painful than black ones, but their bite can be unpleasant for children or people who suffer from allergies. The area where the black karakurt lives lives.

I Australia Oceania

Three species, one of which was introduced into Pivdenno-Skhidna Asia. The Australian black widow is also considered one of the most dangerous species.

Latrodectus geometricus

A species of black widow, spreading on all continents. The barley on the dorsal side is brown. On the underside of the stem there is a red patch. The paws are yellow-brown with black markings on the backs. Of all the black ones, it is least frustrating and unsafe only for children and elderly people.

Brazilian mandrel spider

Until 2010, the Black Widow was respected by the most powerful spider, and the Brazilian soldier spider took the prize cup from her. There are 8 species of Brazilian mandrel spiders. The range is wider than the borders: the tropics of Pivdeniya and Central America. The method of watering is active. Do not weave cobwebs.

Brazilian mandrel spider

Tsikavo!

The remaining appearance was only revealed in 2001.

The venom of soldier spiders in the final stage causes paralysis and suffocation. If the root gets into the bloodstream, in 85% of cases after the bite, a heart attack occurs.

Spider spider

Loitering on the Ancient American continent. The span of the legs can be 6-20 mm. The color is brown, dark yellow, gray. One of the species has fewer than 8 eyes. The viewer has only 3 eyes, so you can look at the photo of the cephalothorax close-up.

Spider spider

Leading a traditional way of life, every day you walk under roots and stones. The method of watering is active, but weave hems, like vikorist, like ukrittya. To love living in people's lives. At night you can suddenly climb into a bed. Just press it down and taste it.

The result of the bite is the development of a necrotic infection. The wounded place of 3 years is healing. A bite can have a fatal result if the victim is a child or a person with a weakened immune system.

Reproduction and lifespan

Karakurts are highly fertile. In one year, the female lays at least 1000 eggs. Periodically, there is a surge in birth rates, when females increase the eggs in their clutch by almost one and a half times during the season. Peaks of mass reproduction of spiders occur every ten, twelve or twenty-five years. Species populations increase their numbers sharply.

The mating season of arthropods occurs in mid-summer, with the arrival of heat. At this time, the active movement of karakurts begins in search of secluded places for weaving mating nets. Males scent the web with pheromones to attract a female. Such a web serves temporarily, only for mating spiders, and is woven in corners protected from heat.

Black widows, following natural instincts, eat males after mating and look for a new place to lay eggs. The den is often set up among uneven soil, in various depressions, abandoned burrows of rodents. Karakurt females also crawl into ventilation systems, from where they then enter people’s homes.

At the entrance to the equipped lair, the spider stretches a network of chaotically intertwined threads. She lays eggs inside and hangs 2-4 cocoons with eggs from the web. Nearby there is a horizontal hunting web of an asymmetrical structure. Snare catchers differ from other arthropods in the absence of concentric circles.

The spiderlings quickly, after 10-15 days, depending on weather conditions, are born, but remain in a warm cocoon and do not leave the shelter. The cocoon woven by the female will allow them to escape the cold and survive the winter months. Karakurt cubs first feed on natural reserves, which are placed in their bodies at birth, then, in order to survive until next spring, they switch to cannibalism.

Subsequently, through natural selection, not all of the strongest individuals are selected, only the spiders that survive the test. In autumn, gusts of wind tear the cocoons from the web and spread across the steppe and desert. Nature itself helps to expand the habitat of spiders, sending them on a journey.

Not all females can survive the winter; spiders often die after briefly surviving the eaten males. The lifespan of karakurts, therefore, is approximately a year. But in warm climates, the lifespan increases significantly. With successful winterings, spiders live up to 5 years.

But even in regions with cold winters, high fertility and rapid development of offspring make it possible to maintain a stable population size, and sometimes increase it. Spring warming, around mid-April, encourages the hatchlings to leave their cocoons.

Karakurts are very prolific, they multiply by the thousands in a year.

The winds carry the spiders with the remains of their webs around the area. The young have to go through stages of development and get stronger. Only by mid-June will the new generation become sexually mature, capable of further reproduction, if the life of the spiderlings is not interrupted by herds of sheep and pigs that simply trample them.

The development of a spider goes through several stages. The chitin shell does not allow growth until the next molt occurs and a new larger cover is formed. Males live seven molts, females – nine.

For centuries, karakurt has been successfully fighting for survival and adapting to new places. The ability to distinguish a poisonous inhabitant from its relatives allows a person to peacefully part with it, without harm to both parties.

White karakurt - Latrodectus pallidus

This is a white spider, with long legs and a round abdomen. The abdomen is white or milky in color, with 4 indentations. The legs and cephalothorax are yellow or light brown. The white spider has a body 10-20 mm long. Females are larger than males. White spiders weave a web in the shape of a cone, which is connected to a trapping net. They live in North Africa, the Middle East, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. The white karakurt spider is not aggressive, but its poison is toxic and can cause complications. Children and the elderly are most susceptible to the effects of the poison. Toxicological studies have shown that the poison of the white karakurt is similar to the poison of the karakurt (Latrodectus tredecimtugattus). If you are bitten by this spider, you should consult a doctor.

Tarantula

Let's first talk about the tarantula, the largest spider in Ukraine. The tarantula's habitat is deserts, steppes and forest-steppe zones in the south of the country. These spiders reach a length of 3.5 cm, and live in burrows that are more than half a meter deep. The spider comes out to hunt at night. If you are bitten by a tarantula, the pain will be similar to a wasp sting. The bite site will become inflamed, and general poisoning of the body may follow. Remember, however, the fact that the spider itself is not aggressive and there have been no cases of wanton attacks on humans. The bite is a consequence of the animal's self-defense. To understand that you may be under attack, pay attention to his posture. Before attacking, the tarantula stands on its hind legs and lifts its front two legs.

Tarantula is a general name for large spiders whose bodies are covered with hair.
More than 900 species of spiders belong to this family. Ease of maintenance has led to the popularity of tarantulas as exotic pets. Tarantulas measure on average 3.5 cm, this is for the female. The male reaches sizes from 1.9 to 2.5 cm. Tarantulas and habitat The geography of the habitat is very wide. These are South and Central America, Mexico, Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia. Tarantulas prefer low-lying areas, flooded meadows, where there is moist soil, which allows them to dig holes without much difficulty. The depth of the burrows is on average from 20 to 60 cm, which end in a kind of living room. By the way, it was found that the tarantula (Lycosa Signoriensis) is an excellent swimmer and can swim without a break for a whole week. Appearance of tarantulas The tarantula is an invertebrate animal. The body is divided into two parts - the cephalothorax and abdomen. The cephalothorax has a basic black-brown color with light brown tints. The belly is predominantly dark brown with light spots. The tarantula's legs are covered with fur. The hairs of the fur also serve as protection against enemies. When keeping them at home, be careful not to let these hairs get into your eyes. However, by handling the animal carefully and not frightening it, it will not see you as an enemy and therefore will not comb these hairs. Tarantula bite As for toxicity, yes, tarantulas are poisonous. Are they dangerous for humans? No, rather they are quite painful and comparable to a wasp or bee sting. The tarantula does not risk attacking those larger than it. Therefore, if you do not provoke him, he will not bite you. If you are nevertheless bitten by a tarantula, then in addition to pain it is most often accompanied by numbness and fever. We advise you to consult a doctor immediately to make sure that you do not have an allergic reaction to the bite.

Other differences

Nature did not provide spiders with ears; instead, they have hairs on their legs that can very accurately determine air vibrations and the location of the source. To sense odors, they also have special hairs and also on their paws. The structure of the eyes and visual acuity depend on the habitat and lifestyle of the arachnids, but the production of cobwebs is carried out with the help of special glands.

The eight-legged one is able to eat a torn web and reproduce it again, and for this it has specially produced enzymes.

Reproduction occurs mainly by laying eggs, from which ready-made spiderlings hatch. Many insects have an endocrine and reproductive system, testes and spermatogenesis; they go through several stages of development and parasitize other species to feed their offspring.

As for the sense organs, they have mechanoreceptors, including sound and photoreceptors, and some insects have chemo- and photoreceptors.

Perhaps spiders and insects originally represented one branch of evolution. For example, arachnids can also weave a web (thread). But it was the tracheal-breathers who became the real masters of the Earth, although some of their species were also dead-end and we learned about them from the only specimen found or fossil remains.

Population and species status

Photo: Water spider

Water spiders inhabit vast areas of Eurasia, and they can be found in almost every body of water, often in quite large quantities. As a result, this species is considered one of the least endangered species - so far it clearly does not have any problems with the population size, although calculations are not being carried out.

Of course, the deterioration of the environment in many reservoirs could not but affect all the living creatures living in them, however, silverfish suffer the least from this. To a lesser extent, but this can also be attributed to their prey, due to the disappearance of which they could also be forced to leave their habitats - various small insects, they are also not so easy to remove.

Thus, we can conclude that of all highly organized living organisms, extinction threatens the majority of spiders, including silver spiders, perhaps least of all - these are well-adapted creatures capable of surviving even in extreme conditions.

Moreover, they are unpretentious: they only need to be fed and the water changed from time to time. It is also necessary to close the container with them, otherwise the spider will sooner or later go on a journey through your house in search of a new habitat, and maybe, what the hell, fly out into the street or be accidentally crushed.

The water spider, even though it is poisonous, is a harmless creature for people if not touched. It is unique in that it weaves its nets right in the water and constantly lives and hunts in it, even though it does not have a breathing apparatus adapted for underwater life. It is also interesting because it can equip empty shells for hibernation.

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Appearance of Myrmarachninae

The name of the subfamily translates as “ant-like.” When looking at a photo of a jumping spider of the species Myrmarachne plataleoides, the thought of a mutant ant comes to mind, if it is a male. The female mimics a weaver ant.

The male's chelicerae are strongly pushed forward, and the spider has a threatening appearance, although it is harmless to humans.

Myrmarachne inermichelis does not differ in appearance from ants at all. Myrmarachne formicaria looks like an ant from a horror movie. This species is widespread throughout the Eurasian continent and belongs to the few species of jumping spiders from the subfamily Myrmarachninae that live outside the tropical zone.

Jumping spider Myrmarachne plataleoides

All Myrmarachninae spiders are small and cannot seriously resist enemies. They mimic ants so as not to become prey for birds or wasps. Mimicry went so far that these horses even developed constrictions on the cephalothorax, imitating the body shape of an ant. The size of arthropods is 3-7 mm. Otherwise, miramakhs are ordinary jumping spiders, but their real structure can only be seen under a microscope.

Harmless species

Spiders, encounters with which are not dangerous for humans, have many varieties. They feed on insects, first weaving a trap out of sticky threads or waiting patiently for hours in ambush. They can be found everywhere: in an apartment, on a personal plot, in meadows and in dense forests.

By looking at photos of Ukrainian spiders with names, you can learn to distinguish between species. They look alike only at first glance!

House spider

This species, as you might guess, prefers to live next to people. He often takes a liking to residential premises and outbuildings on the site. Its food is other domestic insects - cockroaches, bedbugs, moths, etc. In nature, the house spider lives in grass, forest litter, and in cracks in the bark of trees. The search for food forces it to “settle in” closer to humans.

From a biological point of view, the house spider belongs to the Voronkov family. It is distributed throughout the world. The adult size is approximately 0.7–1.2 cm, with males being smaller than females. The body is yellow-brown with a brown pattern. There is a popular belief that the presence of a spider in the house brings financial well-being to the family. However, scientists are less positive on this score: if there are a lot of arthropods in the house, then this is a signal of a large number of insects in the premises.

Cross

There are about 1000 species of crosses, but in Ukraine the most common is the Common one. The spider got its name due to its characteristic coloring - a cluster of yellow spots on the abdomen, merging into a cross. Individuals of the species are quite large: females reach a size of up to 2.5 cm, and males lag behind them in size, not exceeding 1 cm.

Crossers are real masters of weaving large webs. The diameter of their trapping web often exceeds 1 m. The spider guards its prey, positioned in the middle of the web or on its edge. Crossbills are very voracious, and can eat 7–8 insects in one hunt. Strong threads trap even large bumblebees. But, if the spider does not like the prey, then the hunter simply breaks the web around it. He also cleans his network of debris.

Jumping spider

Not all types of spiders in Ukraine can boast of the skill of weaving webs. Some prefer to lie in wait for prey, hiding in a secluded place, and from there make a lightning-fast jump on a potential victim. For example, this is a jumping spider. When attacked, it is attached to the surface with a sticky thread so that, if necessary, it returns to its original place.

Jumping spiders differ from their counterparts in that males and females have the same size - up to 6 mm. Another interesting feature of the species is the ability to turn its head and look. This is necessary for a successful hunt. Scientists believe that jumping spiders have the ability to see ultraviolet radiation because they have special marks on their bodies that are invisible to ordinary vision.

Sidewalk spider

Another active hunter is the side-walking spider. He prefers to take a wait-and-see attitude. The choice of place for hunting is very extensive. The color of individuals is varied and can change. Thus, the flower side-walking spider, depending on environmental conditions, turns from white to yellow and vice versa. Those individuals that hunt in trees are brown in color. Therefore, it can be quite difficult to notice them.

The peculiarity of this species is the ability to move sideways, and at such moments the spider’s movements resemble those of a crab. The length of adult individuals does not exceed 1 cm.

Harvesting spider

It is very difficult to confuse with other species of hay spider. The second name for this arthropod is the centipede or window spider. This is easily recognized by the long and thin legs, the number of which ranges from 6 to 8, extending from the relatively small round abdomen. The length of the legs sometimes reaches 5 cm. For hunting, it weaves a web, and when insects get into it, the centipede injects its paralyzing poison into them.

The haymaker spider loves to live next to people, choosing window frames and dark corners. It can often be seen hanging upside down. If, during a hunt, a spider notices the approach of unsuitable prey - for example, a bumblebee - then it begins to swing its web, scaring away the victim.

Main characteristics of arthropods

Arachnids are classified into the phylum Arthropods based on the following characteristics:

• the presence of articulated limbs;
• chitinous outer shell;
• the body is divided into sections.

Arachnids have 6 pairs of limbs:

• 1 pair – chelicerae, which have claws or claws at the ends to capture prey;
• 2 pairs – claws, serve as organs of smell and touch;
• 3-6 pairs – walking legs.

Arachnids lack antennae and antennules; they are replaced by chelicerae and pedipalps (legs). Poisonous glands open on the chelicerae, which serve to protect and hunt prey.

In addition to chitin, the outer shell also contains a wax-like substance that protects the body from the evaporation of excess moisture, thereby maintaining the amount of water in the body.

Arachnids have two body parts: the cephalothorax and abdomen. The limbs are attached only to the cephalothorax; on the abdomen they are modified into other organs (arachnoid warts, genital operculum, tactile organs or respiratory organs).

Fig.1. External structure of the spider

Zagalna morphology

The original spider is a creature that has 6 pairs of ends. All humans have only 4 pairs of paws, since the first 4 ends of the spider are transformed into feeding organs and dotage. The body of the arthropod is divided into 2 sections: the cephalothorax and the petiole. The two parts are connected by a short jumper. In the close-up photo of the spider, you can see that the cephalothorax is divided by a groove into two parts: the thoracic and cephalic. There are loose ends on the chest to prevent the spider from drying out and help weave spider webs.

Tsikavo!

The current spiders are always protected by spinning rods.

On the head section it is stamped:

• the first pair of ends transformed into chelicerae;
• another pair of ends is the pedipalps, which perform the functions of the dot and assist in catching spiders and holding hands;
• eyes;
• mouth opening

The number of eyes of spiders varies. The majority of arthropods have 8 eyes. Some species have fewer eyes, even to the point where they are more common in spiders, who live in the eternal frost of the oven.

Tsikavo!

The reproductive organs of the male are also grown on the pedipalps.

Goliath tarantula

The impressive size of the spider determined its formidable and powerful name. The Goliath tarantula is rightfully the largest spider in the world.

Thirty-centimeter legs and a massive furry body will impress even the bravest daredevils.

The largest spider in the world chose the green thickets of the tropical forests of the South American continent as its habitat. Ambushing its prey, the spider plunges its sharp fangs deep into it.

The spider's diet includes insects, amphibians, and certain types of snakes, but it does not eat birds, although it bears that specific name.

Below you can watch an amazing video of this beautiful and huge spider.

Hunting methods

Depending on their habitat and the individual structure, representatives of arachnids hunt in completely different ways. If arthropods are classified according to their hunting method, they can be divided into several species.

• Scammers who weave nets and wait for the prey to fall into them, or those who construct a lasso from a web and throw it over the victim.
• Wolf spiders, which are characterized by chasing "lunch". Their feet literally feed them.
• Those who prefer to sit in ambush and overtake unsuspecting prey from cover. They often use mimicry or decoys.
• Those spiders that hide in burrows and wait for prey to come within reach.

Among the predatory arachnids, there is a species of vegetarians that were able to survive and adapt to the harsh conditions among carnivores. For example, Bagheera Kipling's spider has adapted to live on acacia trees, which are loved and protected by ants. This tree produces nectar, and the shoots of its leaves are rich in proteins and nutrients that feed the jumping spider, as it is popularly called. He is very agile, jumps well and can coexist next to his enemies (ants) without being seen by them.

Description of the spider

resembles a crab

In general, it can be called six-eyed, crab spider, sand spider.

Reproduction and development

Sand spiders have sexual differences. The female bears the eggs and lays them in a cocoon cup, which she weaves from sticky spider thread with the addition of sand. She then buries the cocoon in the sand and leaves forever. Young spiders free themselves from the eggs and emerge from the cocoon after some time.

The development of spiders until the period of reproductive age lasts a long time. This is also because the total lifespan of the six-eyed sand spider is approximately 15 years, while other spiders live about three years.

Food and hunting

In order to exist and enjoy its spider life, each individual hunts small-sized insects and scorpions, which are larger and more nutritious. For a successful hunt

the spider, quickly buried in the sand, waits in the wings. Even having been partially buried, he does not have to worry about camouflage - he is helped by the hairs on his body that stick to the grains of sand, and the spider blends into the landscape.

An ambush always brings its fruits - sacrifices, because the six-eyed spider is not only a successful conspirator, but also a creature very sensitive to vibrations. It detects a victim moving nearby in advance and attacks by biting and injecting a toxic substance. All you have to do is wait just a few seconds, and the victim is dead! Now the hunter can enjoy the long-awaited and guaranteed meal.

The peculiarity of the sand spider is that it can expend little energy and can completely do without food for about a year.

Habitats

Sandy arachnids chose areas of South Africa to live, and some species belonging to the same family with them are found on the lands of South America. They live among sands, dunes, stones, snags and tree roots. They always hide in the sand and hunt by burrowing.

The spider genus Sicarius includes 21 species of closely related arachnids. Many of the species spread to Africa. The influence of the habitats of the sandy six-eyed spider on the concentration of deadly poisons in the salivary substance has been scientifically proven. For example, experimentally studied spiders from African places have stronger and more lightning-fast venom than their American relatives. Perhaps the climatic features of the Namib Desert somehow influence this scientifically proven fact.

Such a distance between habitat zones may seem strange, but researchers believe that spiders exist, have been living there for many millions of years, and this happened before the division of the ancient territories of Gondwana. As is known from the history of the world, Gondwana included the modern territories of African, South American, Australian and Antarctic lands.