Spiderbloggers

I found this article on the Cairns.com.au site, while searching for something else. It sounds implausible, but what do you think? I've seen many spiders tackle prey much larger than themselves, but this seems extreme. There is an interesting photo gallery of the alleged snake-eating spider linked to the site.

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/0 ... -news.html

I have discussed this one with an arachnologist, who suspects it is quite accurate. All family Theridiidae webs are really strong, and theridiids are known to take quite large prey compared to themselves. I have been astonished at the size of prey the tiny American house spider (Achaearanea) will snare. Snakes, even tiny ones like this, are not a usual prey of red-backs. The webs are optimised for passing insects. Nor did the arachnologist think the red-back would have fed much on the snake. But the snake got into its web and will have bound itself in its struggles. So the spider needed to kill it or the web would have been destroyed - including the spider who may have become snake food. Theridiids haul things up to the safer top messy part of the web. It will probably have fed on some small portion that the venon managed to inject enough to reduce it to digestible fluid. The rest will have just been left and the web extended away from it, or discarded by being cut out of the web when it was totally dead and the spider was safe. Well, that's what I was told.

I have heard this account before. It is amazing that some spiders can take such large prey!

Forgive me for forgetting the details but I seem to remember a book about Wolf Spiders. In this book the author had fed his spiders on chunks of meat and recorded how the spiders fed on them and how long it took them. My memory is not great but I am sure I remember those spiders devouring quite large bits of meat over time

Hi Steve,

If you do manage to remember the book, I'd be very keen to read about it - and to read a book all about wolf spiders. Any chance of pushing your memory for more information?

Lynne

It was a library book, I doubt from the University Library as there was no time for casual reading then. Probably Gosford or Wyong Shire Library collections. I really cannot remember much more than that apart from being sure it was the author was male. I am not even sure it was only about the wolf spiders but I think it was...sorry

These libraries have online catalogues I think. I am in a sustained bout of illness for the time being but if you don't get a chance I will have look when I can cope with it

Hi Steve,

I am much more concerned about your sustained bout of illness than a library reference. I'll PM you. I do hope you are better soon.

Lynne

Another redback with oversized meal.

The Theridiids - red backs, widow spiders, Achaearanea - all are expert at taking massive prey. Thanks for another example, Dynastia.

Steve - how are you?