Pisaurina

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pisaurina: //ˌpɪsɔːˈraɪnə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Summary

Pisaurina mira, the nursery web spider, is known for its unique hunting behavior, sexual cannibalism, and role in the ecosystem as a predator of small insects. Found widely in Eastern North America, it is characterized by its distinct eye arrangement and for building nursery webs for its young.

Physical Characteristics

Moderately high carapace; abdomen moderately long, typically less than twice the length of carapace; distinguished by unique eye arrangement with straight anterior row; sexually dimorphic, males have longer legs and larger leg length to body ratio.

Identification Tips

Distinguished from other species by two rows of eyes: four in front forming a straight line, and four in back forming a U-shape. Typically confused with wolf spiders due to physical resemblance.

Habitat

Inhabits tall grass, shrubs, and bushes; found in ecotonal areas such as the transitional areas between woods and fields.

Distribution

Eastern North America, ranging from Ontario and Quebec, south to central Florida and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas; extends west to Minnesota, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Diet

Active hunter primarily feeding on small insects such as gnats and mosquitoes; injects digestive juices to liquefy prey's internal organs for consumption.

Life Cycle

Pisaurina mira is univoltine, having one brood of offspring per year; the female carries eggs in a sac attached to her until they are ready to hatch and then creates a nursery web for the spiderlings.

Reproduction

Mating occurs in mid-June to mid-July; females build a nursery web and are solely responsible for parental care; males wrap females in silk to avoid cannibalism during copulation.

Ecosystem Role

Important predator of small insects; contributes to reducing herbivory by grasshoppers, enhancing carbon storage in ecosystems.

Economic Impact

Influences the population of agricultural pests, such as tarnished plant bugs, due to its predatory habits.

Health Concerns

Venom is not lethal to humans and does not pose a significant medical threat; primarily a threat to small insects, not larger animals.

Similar Taxa

• Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae)

Misconceptions

Often mistaken for wolf spiders due to physical similarity; perceived as a medical threat despite being harmless to humans.

Tags

• spider
• Pisaurina
• Pisauridae
• Arachnid
• North America
• predator
• carnivore
• evolution
• habitat