Latest news with #arachnids
The Independent
29-07-2025
- The Independent
The tarantula invasion has begun – here's where you'll need to watch your step
Tens of thousands of tarantulas are starting to make their way above ground, in search of fuzzy love. But while that sounds like an arachnophobe's worst nightmare, scientists say it's not as scary as you might think. The annual mating season for the world's largest spiders is already under way in the Southwest, as high spring temperatures and moisture drive the hungry creatures out of their underground burrows. Texas is in full-flung mating season, the Austin American-Statesman reports, with tarantulas popping up in South Texas grasslands and deserts. 'It's kind of shocking to people that may have never experienced it because most have not seen a tarantula before — even if they have lived in that area most of their life (they're pretty secretive),' University of Idaho Associate Professor Dr. Chris Hamilton told The Independent. Starting in October and through November, California, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico can also expect an influx of eight-legged friends. In Colorado, where tarantulas are a major attraction, the municipality of La Junta tells people to try to see them an hour before dusk during mid-September to October around the Comanche National Grassland. Sometimes people catch them trekking across roads and highways. 'We've counted as many as 50 [tarantulas] in an hour and a half. That's pretty substantial,' Lyn Neve, a National Forest Service employee, told Denver 7 last year. But while you might see a so-called 'clutter' of tarantulas in these states, particularly near grasslands, it won't come close to the Fifties cult film 'Tarantula.' which saw a house-sized arachnid terrorize an Arizona town. Of the 29 tarantula species in the U.S., most only reach around 4.5 inches in diameter. And those who appear above ground are normally males as female tarantulas are 'basically homebodies,' says the National Park Service. Males may live as many as 10 years, but females can live for up to a quarter of a century. For the males, the journey to find a mate is no picnic. While they typically only travel about a mile to a female's burrow in that time many are eaten by snakes, owls or foxes, or run over by cars. Others will die of exhaustion or the inability to shed their skin. 'It makes me feel bad for the little dudes,' Cristi Painter, a wildlife biologist with the National Forest Service, also told Denver 7. 'You know, he just wants a girlfriend and hopefully one that doesn't eat him. And if she doesn't, he's going to die anyway.' If you do want to see the spiders, the best time to see them in summer is in the middle of the night. But, just don't get too close: Tarantulas are not known to bite, but it doesn't mean that they can't. Their bite is comparable to a bee sting which usually only has a mild effect on humans, although some people may have a more severe allergic reaction. 'They can be grumpy when handled roughly, but if they bite, it's typically from being provoked,' Wizzie Brown, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomology specialist, explained in a statement. 'So, look at them and appreciate them because they are beneficial. But people shouldn't handle tarantulas in the wild.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
New pseudoscorpions with dragon-like jaws discovered in a South Korea cave
Pseudoscorpions may lack the pointy, poisonous tail of their more famous desert-dwelling cousins, but their crab-like front pincers still make them look quite formidable. Now, these small, sometimes overlooked arachnids are getting a closer look. Four new species of these tiny arachnids have been uncovered in the dark caves of South Korea. They have jaws like dragons and are even completely blind, according to a study published July 9 in the journal PLOS One. Pseudoscorpions are harmless to humans and related to spiders and 'real' scorpions. They eat small insects, other arthropods, and larvae. They live in many habitats, and are often found in tiny crevices, under tree bark, and in humid environments full of leaf litter and moss. They also can be found in dark, damp places like caves. Since South Korea is home to hundreds of unexplored caves and close to countries with several pseudoscorpion species, arachnologists were curious what pseudoscorpions could be lurking in these limestone cave systems and lava tubes spread across two extensive mountain ranges. 'Pseudoscorpions are awesome animals,' Kyung–Hoon Jeong, a study co-author and arachnologist at South Korea's Jeonbuk National University, tells Popular Science. 'We can divide pseudoscorpions in two types–basal lineage and modern lineage.' The basal lineage cannot move far, making them endemic wherever they live. Scientists can use their distribution to learn more about their geographical secrets, according to Kyung–Hoon. The modern lineage does a little bit more. They hitchhike on other animals and make houses out of their silk. Only five pseudoscorpion species have been recorded from caves in South Korea, compared to the hundreds that have been documented in countries like China. This study brings that total up to nine. 'Many people have believed there is only one species (Spelaeochthonius dentifier) distributed in Korea. However, our result was totally different,' says Kyung–Hoon. The newly discovered species are named Spelaeochthonius dugigulensis, S. geumgulensis, S. magwihalmigulensis, and Those in the family Pseudotyrannochthoniidae are often referred to as 'dragon pseudoscorpions,' due to their large front appandages that resemble dragon jaws. All four new species strongly adapted to cave living and were only found in a single cave system. These new additions have an orange to brown color. They are mostly blind, and have dragon-like jaws that can clamp down on the smaller organisms. However, they are not all the same. 'Each species in the cave has big differences, both in morphology and genetically,' says Kyung–Hoon. 'Additionally, their relevance is supported by the connection between Korea and Japan.' This indicates that these pseudoscorpions likely were more widespread in East Asia before the Sea of Japan formed between the countries roughly 28 to 13 million years ago. They then likely traveled between the two over water, hitching rides on other organisms. While the team is still studying these new arachnids, their perfect adaptations to cave life means that they can only survive if their habitat stays intact. Pollution and climate change could threaten these small and endemic animals, according to Kyung–Hoon. 'Our study highlights the conservation value of pseudoscorpions, we believe that the interest of this small animal could bring attention to their habitats and environment,' he concludes.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Spider Season Is Here—These Expert-Approved Tips Will Keep Them Out of Your Home for Good
To keep spiders out, seal up entry points, keep your home clean and clutter-free, eliminate other bugs they feed on, and tidy up your yard. For stubborn infestations, calling in a pest control pro can help identify the species and create a targeted treatment plan. Though they're not ideal inside the home, most spiders are harmless to humans except two dangerous species to watch out are a scary-looking bunch. They have their eight legs, beady little eyes, some fur (that is often microscopic), and fangs! This combination of features can be terrifying, but thankfully most spiders (which are part of the arachnid class that includes scorpions, ticks, and mites) are harmless to humans and can be beneficial to their natural environment—they indirectly help with pollination and consume pests like mosquitos! So while spiders certainly have their positives, they're not exactly the most desirable housemates. If you're dealing with creepy-crawlies, there are steps you can take to remedy the situation—we asked a pest control expert for their best tips and advice on how to keep spiders out of your house. Related: 7 Surprising Mistakes That Could Be Inviting Spiders Into Your Home Fear not! There are plenty of steps you can take to ensure you'll be spidey-free. Because spiders are so itty-bitty, they can navigate through the cracks and crevices of your home with ease. According to Jay Dihonov, ACE, PCQI, Technical Services Manager at Terminix, the most frequent points of entry are windows, doors, roof eaves, foundation cracks, and ventilation openings. He suggests addressing many of these zones by doing the below: A weather-flexible caulk or sealant should be used to eliminate any cracks or openings. Any damaged door strips and sweeps should be replaced preventing access to the inside. Proper screening mesh material should be used behind the crawl space and attic vent openings. Placing caps over the fireplace chimney and exhaust pipe openings should be completed as well. A well-maintained home bustling with lots of activity is not an ideal location for spiders. Dihonov explains, 'Spiders prefer dark, undisturbed areas like stored boxes in basements, attics, closets, and areas of the home that don't get much daily activity, as well as under and behind furniture.' Constantly tidying up is a must to keep spiders at bay. He suggests vacuuming both inside and outside the home, recommending the long extension of your vacuum to reach all the corners, nooks, and crannies. (When you're done, always empty the vacuum or dispose of the collecting bag.) A dusting tool fitted with a telescoping handle can be used for web removal as well. He adds, 'Clutter is the ideal invitation for them—a pile of clothes on the floor, accumulated garbage bags, holiday decorations scattered around and so on.' So it's crucial to keep things in order. Dihonov says the only way to truly deter spiders is to minimize the insect activity around your home. 'No prey means no food for them and they will move away searching for it. So pest-proofing your home is the biggest deterrent in spider control,' he says. You can opt to use chemical-free solutions to curb eight-legged guests, such as essential oils and homemade concoctions (like soapy water), but Dihonov notes those will only go so far, saying 'The results are objectively unreliable with short-term relief in the overall issue.' He does say that mint, lavender, and lemongrass have natural insect repellency. According to him, 'Incorporating those types of plants into your garden, flower beds, or exterior perimeter can reduce the overall pest pressure and help decrease the attractiveness of your home to spiders, as well.' So if you want to go the natural route, that's probably your best bet. However, he adds that the best and time-proven method of reducing spider activity around your home is to keep your home in good physical condition by utilizing preventative, sanitation, and mechanical measures. You've addressed the interior of your home, but you really shouldn't forget the exterior—that's where they're coming from after all! Dihonov says there are many important steps you can take to decrease the attractiveness of your home to spiders, such as: Sealing or screening doors, windows, and other gaps around the structure. Move lights to off-building locations or simply point the lighting towards the house rather than having them on it. Change the bulbs near the entrance doors or the porch from the bright white to the yellow hue ones. Keep both inside and outside premises free of debris and clutter. Mow your grass to 3 inches or less, and keep other vegetation trimmed and away from the building. Remove any new spider webbing that you see and inspect your house at least monthly for that. If you find that the spiders have seriously taken over your home, and the actions you've taken to mitigate this haven't helped, it might be time to call a professional. Dihonov recommends taking a high-quality, clear photo of the spider (or even capturing one in a plastic zip top bag or jar) to help them identify the species. He says this 'is paramount in preparing a comprehensive plan of attack.' A thorough inspection will be performed, and insect monitors might be placed around the home. He details the rest of the process saying, 'An outside perimeter treatment with approved chemicals will be completed as well. Physical removal of webbing and possible spider egg sacs will take place. Some trained professionals also offer exclusion services.' There are over 3,000 types of spiders in North America but a majority of them are safe to coexist with! However, Dihonov warns of two spiders that are major threats to humans—the brown recluse spider and the black widow spider. Brown recluses are primarily in the South, but black widows can actually be found across the country. Dihonov strongly recommends inspecting these outdoor areas regularly so they don't creep into your home: Firewood or rock piles Behind siding or rain gutters and downspouts Any electrical or cable boxes Foundation cracks and gaps Under decks and patios Window shutters Under the eaves and corner gathering areas Related: 7 Bad Habits That Are Attracting Bugs to Your House Read the original article on Real Simple
