r/spiderbro:

u/Seven7greens

That movie and my father is what contributed to my years long arachnophobia, even though I loved spiders before that. Took me a while to reverse the phobia- exposure therapy and education from experts and professionals around the world. But love spiders again and do what I can to teach people about them and help ID them, when I know what it is.
u/Seven7greens

Im assuming you’re in Europe, and I am in Alaska. Not complete opposite, but the other side. Our spiders are small, largest one here is Dolomedes triton, the Six Spotted Fishing Spider and they dont eat other spiders. Not always, at least.
u/Seven7greens

A very gorgeous Nuctenea umbratica, a Walnut Orbweaver. I live on the other side of the planet from these but still love them like I have them near me.
u/Seven7greens

A female keyhole morphos(for the odd keyhole-like design behind the heartline) Araneus marmoreus, a Marbled Orbweaver.
u/Seven7greens

They go into what is called diapause, it’s like hibernation except they are awake the whole time.
u/Seven7greens

This is the last spring for both of these Orbweavers. Females only live for about 1.5 years in AK. Both look gravid and will most likely lay a clutch soon, and then their duty will be fulfilled and their offspring will take their place.
u/Seven7greens

Sounds like something one of my fb spider group members would say…
u/Seven7greens

What part of AK? I’m in AK and haven’t seen any yet. Anchorage area for me.
u/Seven7greens

Im guessing you’re in or near the Washington/BC state area.
u/Seven7greens

Spiders in general won’t bite unless theyre threatened enough or are being harmed. Orbweavers have no reason to bite unless you are to say pinch a leg whilst handling one, it might bite in defense. But spiders fangs are not meant to be used for defensive purposes, they’d rather run than attempt to waste their venom that is used for food, not protection. I have been bit by this exact species and while it did initially hurt, nothing happened afterwards. One dropped down into my shirt somehow and I felt tickling and swiped and it bit me. I’ve handled hundreds of spiders and only bit twice, both were due to me not knowing a spider was even on me and brushed them accidentally. Steatoda triangulosa was the other spider I’ve been bit by. That one was a bit more burning feeling than the orbweaver and I really thought it was an ember. But it was a teeny little Cobweb spider.