Spider
Classification
Scientific name: Araneae
Description
Spiders are not insects and their species varyconsiderably in size. There are more than 35,000species of spider, divided into 2 types of species:Primitive Spiders = vertical fang orientation Modern Spiders = horizontal fang directionSmaller spiders’ average length is 4-8mm. Males aresmaller than females. Unlike insects, spiders only have2 distinct body sections, the Cephalothorax, which isthe head and thorax combined; it features fangs,pedipalps, multiple eyes and legs, and the abdomenwhich contains the spinnerets at the rear, which are sophisticated glands that spin the silken webs.There are many spider species present all across Australia. Most species prefer to live outdoors and feast on insects. Generally, spiders indoors are maleshunting for females. Sometimes, spiders come inside for warmth if the temperature drops outside
Behavior
Most spiders are harmless and play an important role in controlling the insect population. Spidersemit silk, ejecting a liquid which turns to silk when it meets the air. Autumn is breeding season. Female spiders plump up to attract a male. The spider’s mating ritualis complex. Males must avoid getting eaten by the female and start by creating a web bed to laysperm. They pick up the sperm in pedipalps by the mouth and inseminate the female. Some malesdazzle the female to stop her reacting aggressively. Spiders use venom to paralyse their prey and eat at leisure. Some species venom is deadly
Risks
Spiders are typically a nuisance rather than harmful. They reproduce quickly and create cobwebsin hard to reach areas. Most species use their venom on invertebrates rather than humans.