Wednesday, June 3, 2020

June 3, 2020

Location: Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Melbourne Beach

These are the egg sacs of a Brown Widow spider
Each one contains over a hundred eggs
The sacs are white when first constructed
When the eggs inside hatch, the sacs look dark grey*.

Brown Widow spiders are venomous
They belong to the Theridiidae family
They are also known as comb-footed spiders
Because of the comb-like bristles on their hind feet.

Note: The sacs don't actually turn dark grey, what looks dark grey are the baby spiders inside the sac. 

Sources: UF | IFAS Featured Creatures: Brown Widow Spider

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

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