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Text by Ben Goodrich
| Photos © Kim Hosen; suburban backyard, Woodbridge, VA; July 2010 |
Arrowhead Spider The arrowhead spider is a harmless species of spider to humans. It has legs less than 1 inch long, with an arrow like abdomen (narrow in front and ending in two large spreading spines) that has a thin membrane to support two hardened horns, which are its only defense against predators. The zig-zag pattern on the arrowhead spider is used to make it appear larger than it actually is to predators. However, it can also be used to attract would-be pollinators that believe the pattern is a small flower, thus helping the spider catch its prey. The spider can be found throughout the spring, summer, and fall lurking in low shrubs located around 2 to 3 feet above the ground in wooded thickets, wetlands, gardens and marsh areas. It tends to stay near the center of its web, in wait for an unsuspecting bug to fly into it. The female arrowhead spider is around ¼ inch in size, while the males are even smaller. The spider has a pair of small spines in the front, and another spine closer to the center on each side. The head and thorax can be either light brown or yellowish brown with white edges. The abdomen is white or bright yellow spotted with black above and a little bit darker below with yellow spots and bands of black. The spines are black on the tip and red at the base. The legs are the same color as the head and thorax. |