This is a relative of the notorious poisonous Wandering Spider of Brazil, it also hitches rides on banana shipments. This was turned in to my work place for identification, it was reassuring to all concerned to find it was not especially toxic to humans. Cupiennius chiapanensis, family Ctenidae. The nasty guys are the genus Phoneutria, who share the red hairs on the "jaws"(chelae). Important safety tip, if it has these red chelae then best leave it alone.
What an amazing macro, but I think this is sooooooo scary, i can hardly take a good look at it! So interesting, but almost to detailed for me, stuff for nightmares...
Two relatives' houses here in Missouri are over run by brown recluse, as are most of the lake houses I've rented around here. I think I've positively ID'd them using a microscope to count the eyes (6, and really, really scary looking under magnification), no leg spines, no leg banding, the classic fiddle back, smooth monotone medium-light brown color, but...
I later learned that not all brown recluse have that horrid necrotic venom. Is there a place one can send a spider to get a positive ID, as a public service? Hint, hint... ;o)
BTW, it's hard to imagine anyone needing to be told to avoid that monster. ;o)
@heidi I know a researcher who has been debunking some of the Brown Recluse misinformation floating around the medical community. He had a family sending him trapped specimens from their home, especially high numbers in sticky traps in the attic. Over 1,000 specimens in a year and no bites on any family members(5 household members). The last I read some people react with necrotizing fascitis but many have no, or minimal, reaction to the venom. If you want confirmation of your identification I can provide my address and let you know what you're dealing with.
@robv I would appreciate a confirmation ID. I'd need to wrangle a spider. Not sure how to communicate with you on 365. You can email me at heidipoodle@gmail.com if you'd like. I'm assuming you may not want to post addresses publicly. Any other suggestions?
excellent photo! Love the red.
OMG! That's 3 inches! Run away! ;o)
Two relatives' houses here in Missouri are over run by brown recluse, as are most of the lake houses I've rented around here. I think I've positively ID'd them using a microscope to count the eyes (6, and really, really scary looking under magnification), no leg spines, no leg banding, the classic fiddle back, smooth monotone medium-light brown color, but...
I later learned that not all brown recluse have that horrid necrotic venom. Is there a place one can send a spider to get a positive ID, as a public service? Hint, hint... ;o)
BTW, it's hard to imagine anyone needing to be told to avoid that monster. ;o)