Mystery Spider North Cyprus

JohnDownes


Joined: 03/12/2010
Posts: 123

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 09:10

There's a spider shown up, currently parked on my bedoom ceiling.

It looks like Eusparassus dufourii, BUT that's only supposed to be 15mm in body length, and this sucker is at least an inch long in the body (and about 3 inches toe to toe). Also my book says Eusparassus dufourii is local to the Western Med., ie Spain, so what's it doing here?

Picture here; http://www.capewines.net/spider/

Any suggestions re what it is?

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 09:17

Hi John,



Have a look at one I caught,



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/3074009021_186f17b795_b.jpg



Is that like yours?



If so, see this link...



http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/21715.asp



Navek

JohnDownes


Joined: 03/12/2010
Posts: 123

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 09:29

Yes Navek, that looks familiar. And stop press, there are now two of them, and they've each spun a thin web around themselves.

Billo


Joined: 12/06/2011
Posts: 41

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 09:45

If I were you I would spin a thin web around the legs of my shorts.

They do say that there is always a pair, (I don't mean in my shorts either) but quite often you never see the male as he doesn't seem to have a web like the female, and they leave the web at night to go hunting.

I have had several bad experiences with the black male tarantulas here, one was almost on my foot one night whilst watching tv, and I am terrified of the smallest spiders believe me.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 09:47

That can mean only one thing - they're cosying up for a naughty weekend!

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 09:55

Walked into the house a few nights ago,

spotted one on the ceiling,

wife was watching TV, hadn't noticed.

Managed to catch it and put it outside,

before the panic set in

Navek

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 11:22

Wolf Spider

http://www.bugabug.net/PESTID/wolf_spiders.html

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 11:41

Yes we had the same one when we lived in Edremit, It was right above me in bed and I am not fond of spiders,



I beleive it is identical, when I caught it in a very large glass jar it actually jumped out, (Luckily enough I was close to the ensuite toilet.)



My wife found it rather funny and captured it on video.



It was probably about the same size as the one you describe,



If you are scared, or dont like spiders, try putting Clove Oil on all your door and window thresholds,

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 11:56

But do they bite???? Had one in the sink and the other was outside. and I am more scared of them than they of me But again i ask - are they poisonous, especially for my dog and cats!?

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 12:10

Marion, my dad always reckoned that all spiders bite, he also told me many years ago that very often when working in the garden lots of the insect bites you get are actually small spider bites.

yenibob


Joined: 13/10/2010
Posts: 1203

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 12:13

Marion, if you read the info from the link in message 7 it will answer your question!

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 19:50

thanks Johnny - I am sure your dad was right. To Yenibob, thanks againb, but the link does nOT mention cats and dogs, only humans. So, if a human needs medical attention, what is the effect on a much small animal? It doesn't say - does anyone know.

frontalman



Joined: 28/02/2008
Posts: 499

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 22:39

We get a lot of these, they are perfectly harmless, when you put one in your hand it weighs the same as a couple of threads of wool. They do not bite and they are not wolf spiders, but I haven't a clue what they are actually called. They are very fast movers, which can be a bit startling.

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
12/06/2011 22:49

Thanks. Still not convinced. Mainly, as you say,l they mov e so fast so one ccannot really inspect what markings they may have. I am just relieved when they run away from me. But maybe also I am concerned bbecause the other year had a Cypriot staying who screamed blue murder when she saw one on the stairs maintaining they were HIGHLY dangerous. But as long as my animals are safe, that's O.K.