Jan 2008
Spiders!
16/01/08 13:24 Filed in: Field of
Mars |
Biodiversity
Spiders!
Spiders can be scary to some and fascinating to others. The Field of Mars staff have spotted a few of the eight legged Arachnida around the grounds. The most sighted species around the gardens was the St Andrew’s Cross spider. Within this blog there are also some interesting web addresses for you to follow your interest in spiders.
Spiders are feared by many perhaps because if provoked they can bite. Some spiders are also known to inject a poisonous venom that may seriously harm you. However, even though Australia has some of the most dangerous spiders in the world, such as the Redback Spider and the Funnel-web Spider, no one has died from a spider bite since antivenine was made available in 1981! (http://www.amonline.net.au/spiders/resources/general.htm#dangerous). It is still a very good idea to wear gloves when gardening and not provoke any spiders to harm you.
Something you might already know about spiders are that they have two main body parts, eight legs, eyes not like insects but fixed like ours, fangs and silk spinning organs. Something you might not know about spiders is that they were here long before the dinosaurs! Spiders have evolved over time to not only change their appearance but to also use their silk in different ways. For example 400 million years ago spiders used their silk, or so we believe, to protect her eggs. However, the ‘modern’ spiders use their silk for a variety of purposes such as moving from place to place, catch insects, wrap its pray AND protecting her eggs.
Working at the Field of Mars allows us to appreciate and identify many spiders in their natural environment. Today, Helen observed many St Andrew’s Cross spiders.
St Andrew’s Cross spiders can be easily identified by their zig zag silk webs (stabilimentum) that are usually in a form of a cross. The St Andrew’s cross spider is very smart, as the stabilimenta attracts insects as it reflects UV light that pollinating insects love. An interesting fact about the St Andrew’s Cross spider is that the shape of the stabilimentum changes shape as the spider ages.
We hope you find some interesting spiders but remember to always be safe and never aggravate spiders. If you have been bitten call your local emergency service. Below are some interesting web addresses that will help you with extending your knowledge about spiders.
Useful Spider websites:
For information on stabilimentum go to:
http://www.bugsinthenews.com
Spiders of Australia is a detailed website that highlights the beauty of Australian spiders. Through current information the website also aims to unveil some of the mystery surrounding spiders.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/australian/Spidaus.html
As the name suggests, Steve’s Australian Spider Pics provides viewers an array of interesting spider pictures. This website is fun for those who like to identify and learn more about spiders.
http://spiders.zacharoo.com/
Congratulations!
High school students from the Indigenous community of Maningrida have discovered 33 new species of spiders over the past two years!!!! Well done to the teachers and students of the Maningrida Community Education Centre. For more information see: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/01/22/1831652.htm
Spiders can be scary to some and fascinating to others. The Field of Mars staff have spotted a few of the eight legged Arachnida around the grounds. The most sighted species around the gardens was the St Andrew’s Cross spider. Within this blog there are also some interesting web addresses for you to follow your interest in spiders.
Spiders are feared by many perhaps because if provoked they can bite. Some spiders are also known to inject a poisonous venom that may seriously harm you. However, even though Australia has some of the most dangerous spiders in the world, such as the Redback Spider and the Funnel-web Spider, no one has died from a spider bite since antivenine was made available in 1981! (http://www.amonline.net.au/spiders/resources/general.htm#dangerous). It is still a very good idea to wear gloves when gardening and not provoke any spiders to harm you.
Something you might already know about spiders are that they have two main body parts, eight legs, eyes not like insects but fixed like ours, fangs and silk spinning organs. Something you might not know about spiders is that they were here long before the dinosaurs! Spiders have evolved over time to not only change their appearance but to also use their silk in different ways. For example 400 million years ago spiders used their silk, or so we believe, to protect her eggs. However, the ‘modern’ spiders use their silk for a variety of purposes such as moving from place to place, catch insects, wrap its pray AND protecting her eggs.
Working at the Field of Mars allows us to appreciate and identify many spiders in their natural environment. Today, Helen observed many St Andrew’s Cross spiders.
St Andrew’s Cross spiders can be easily identified by their zig zag silk webs (stabilimentum) that are usually in a form of a cross. The St Andrew’s cross spider is very smart, as the stabilimenta attracts insects as it reflects UV light that pollinating insects love. An interesting fact about the St Andrew’s Cross spider is that the shape of the stabilimentum changes shape as the spider ages.
We hope you find some interesting spiders but remember to always be safe and never aggravate spiders. If you have been bitten call your local emergency service. Below are some interesting web addresses that will help you with extending your knowledge about spiders.
Useful Spider websites:
For information on stabilimentum go to:
http://www.bugsinthenews.com
Spiders of Australia is a detailed website that highlights the beauty of Australian spiders. Through current information the website also aims to unveil some of the mystery surrounding spiders.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/australian/Spidaus.html
As the name suggests, Steve’s Australian Spider Pics provides viewers an array of interesting spider pictures. This website is fun for those who like to identify and learn more about spiders.
http://spiders.zacharoo.com/
Congratulations!
High school students from the Indigenous community of Maningrida have discovered 33 new species of spiders over the past two years!!!! Well done to the teachers and students of the Maningrida Community Education Centre. For more information see: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/01/22/1831652.htm