Need help identifying a spider please

[Laurie]

I found one about an inch in diameter total, dark brown, hairy, with light tan stripes around its legs. This was in the house. Today my husband found one in the yard--it's wooded--and it was easily 2 to 2 1/2" diameter, same coloring/marking/hairy. Any idea what this might be? I've looked at enature.com and in our field guide, but without success. We live in the Mid-atlantic, PA to be exact. I figured Scouts/Scouters might be able to help with this one

[VentureScoutNY]

 

Hmmm..I'll take a look online. Laurie, this post gave me chills...I'm officially itchy...

[Eamonn]

Please don't tell anyone but I'm scared of spiders.

Any found in our house are the business of Her That Must Be Obeyed.

I have seen one like your one on a holly bush in our yard. He looked as if he was happy there so I didn't go near him

Eamonn

[VentureScoutNY]

 

Check out these website. The first one you need adobe to read it.

 

http://www.okstate.edu/OSU_Ag/agedcm4h/pearl/insects/grdnbugs/f-7301.pdf

 

http://www.rochedalss.qld.edu.au/stand.htm

[Laurie]

Thanks for the links Venture

 

Eamonn, usually I get along with spiders just fine, but this gave me the creeps.

 

Ok, we identified one: husband saw the banded garden spider. This is not anything like what I described to him. What I saw most closely resembles a tarantula or one of the jumping spiders I looked at on-line. And now I am itching like crazy after searching photo upon photo for this thing! How I wish I'd taken a photo--darn, didn't think to do that.

[Adrianvs]

As an ecology instructor, I've had trouble identifying a spider with a regional field guide. The number of species inhabiting any area is huge and there are so many rare specimens that aren't common enough to document.

 

The spider doesn't sound familiar, but then again I am bad at visualizing verbal descriptions..

[packsaddle]

Your description is not bad but still not quite enough for an ID. I suggest sending a specimen to this person:

http://faculty.millikin.edu/~mrobertson.nsm.faculty.mu/index.html

Or give her a call. She's great with students and a top expert on arachnids.

[dsteele]

Okay, Laurie, I have to admit my first reaction to reading the title of this thread, "Need help identifying a spider please" was to reply with the following smart-alec comment:

 

A spider has eight legs . . . Just having a little fun on a Friday evening.

[Laurie]

Thanks guys! Adrianvs, I am learning a lot about spiders; it is amazing how many are considered rare or just remain unidentified as they haven't been seen before. Pack, it's too late for this one to be sent anywhere, but you can bet I'm going to keep a jar handy in case I run across one again (my curiosity is piqued now). And Uncleguinea, a little fun is always welcomed, especially as the week is wrapping up By the way, I have to confess, I think of guinea pigs when I see your name--any special meaning to it?

 

To all, this mystery remains unsolved, but I sure did learn a lot and appreciate all the help! Now to prepare for one of the busiest Cubbing weekends ever...I'm tired thinking about it A wonderful weekend to all!!!

[packsaddle]

OK, I'll make a wild guess that it may be one of the many wolf spiders. The size is about right and so are the markings. I'd have to see it to know though. They are often found carrying an egg mass and later, after the eggs hatch, a ball of baby spiders. They are very quick even as babies, but they are harmless and really nice to have around. They don't normally bite unless you squeeze one in your hand or something. But if you mess with one, it will stop trying to escape and it will turn and assume a defensive position. I've always wondered if there was a pattern to how much harrassment they would tolerate before they would fight.

We try to keep a few in our downstairs rooms to help beat back the roaches and scorpions that seem to like to move into the bathroom and under and behind furniture. I guess some people get the creeps but I think it's nice to have a good accumulation of web spinners under the sink or the toilet and active hunters around other places.

There's nothing that says 'home' like the feel of 8-legged creatures skittering across your bare feet in the dark when you go for a drink of water in the night.(This message has been edited by packsaddle)

[dsteele]

Laurie:

 

I'm rather surprised my name reminds you of guinea pigs. You hit it right on the nose. I'm an uncle and I once ate a guinea pig in a country where, in the deep back country, they are a staple food.

 

They taste like gamey chicken but with a slightly different texture. I can't watch them in a pet store or someone's house on their little wheels without envisioning them on a spit in a hut with a grass roof.