Nuts about spiders?

[THX1138]

The Black Widow, now that's a creepy spider. Generally don't spin a web to catch flies, moths and etc, Don't catch flies like jumping spiders can. But if you have say a car sitting in your driveway that's been there awhile then there are Widows living under it. Run a string from side to side or front to back under the car, tie a bug on to one end and slowly drag the thing and those Black widows will pounce on it,,,,,,Death from above
Creepy things

[Chris Peterson]

The Black Widow, now that's a creepy spider. Generally don't spin a web to catch flies, moths and etc, Don't catch flies like jumping spiders can. But if you have say a car sitting in your driveway that's been there awhile then there are Widows living under it. Run a string from side to side or front to back under the car, tie a bug on to one end and slowly drag the thing and those Black widows will pounce on it,,,,,,Death from above
Creepy things

They don't spin orb webs, but they do build webs to catch their prey. And they're pretty reclusive. They won't drop on you from webs above, or generally "pounce". You have to work pretty hard to get one to go for you. And a bug needs to be solidly in their web before they'll come out and get it.

As dangerous spiders go, they're pretty low on the list for concern.

[geckzilla]

I used to mess with the black widows around my house in SoCal all the time and they were always in webs unless I scared it out of its own web. Chris, I don't think we're ever going to stop the spread of spider mysticism, even here at Asterisk.

[Ann]

Eh. I was happy to get a smallish Swedish spider out of my male neighbour's apartment. I'm glad there aren't any black widows around.

Ann

[THX1138]

They creep me out and i'm not suggesting you can drag a bug under a car and then run into its web and they will drop right down on that bug, No. I'm telling you they will do that from first hand experience

[BMAONE23]

Here's a new Funnel Web Guy

[Ron-Astro Pharmacist]

Some of you may want to watch this. I only made it to the part where the spider was crawling into the leaves as the unsuspecting man was sweeping them up.

Click to play embedded YouTube video.

Being fair season in the US, I don't even think I'll get a funnel cake now. I know it's paranoia but phobias are like that no matter what the prefix is.

[Nitpicker]

Coulda been me:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-27/p ... er/6979724

[Ron-Astro Pharmacist]

Coulda been me:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-27/p ... er/6979724

Me too but at least some critters like spiders.

Click to play embedded YouTube video.

[Beyond]

YUCK!

[geckzilla]

The poison that was used to kill the spider is still probably more harmful to humans than the spider or the worm within it.

Of course, there are a few nematodes that are very, very bad for humans. Take Wuchereria bancrofti, for instance, which causes filariasis and can manifest visually as the amusingly named elephantiasis.

[Ron-Astro Pharmacist]

This may be tmi but there are many good reasons to wash your hands after…
or you could end up with

Click to play embedded YouTube video.

Luckily they also have "drugs for that"

Well – maybe spiders aren't so bad after all but don't get me started on earwigs

[Nitpicker]

The poison that was used to kill the spider is still probably more harmful to humans than the spider or the worm within it.

Still, if I became intolerable, I think I would rather be attacked by an assailant with a can of spider-killing spray, than with a gun.

I reckon I could probably survive the volume of poison that killed the spider/worm in the video.

[geckzilla]

Where did guns come into the subject? I'd rather have a spider thrown on me than poison sprayed on me.

[Chris Peterson]

Where did guns come into the subject? I'd rather have a spider thrown on me than poison sprayed on me.

In general that seems wise. Although you should probably consider the exact type of spider and type of poison.

[Nitpicker]

I introduced guns into the subject. You clearly don't understand my level of fear of spiders (nor my fear of poorly controlled guns). My preference for the weapon used against me, by the aforementioned assailant, would be:

1) a can of spider-killing spray,

2) a jar of Funnel Web spiders,

3) a gun,

4) a nuclear bomb,

5) a large nest of Funnel Web spiders.

[Beyond]

Number 4 would seem to take care of all the rest rather decently, IF it was 'armed'. Otherwise, it would require a direct hit and may be very painful.
As to poorly controlled guns... practice practice practice!

[Nitpicker]

The poison that was used to kill the spider is still probably more harmful to humans than the spider or the worm within it.

It occurs to me now, that you were perhaps suggesting that the poison is more harmful to humans, than the spider or worm is harmful to humans.

However, I initially read it as the poison is more harmful to humans, than the poison is harmful to the spider or worm.

(Why I then went off and related this to guns, is perhaps my own psychological problem.)

[geckzilla]

Yes, I meant the first. I think it is also possible that the poison isn't doing diddly to the worm, though. In fact the poison may have enticed the worm to come out because that's what they do when they detect the host is in a watery environment. The video states that the worm emerged because the spider died, but it's just as likely that it was tricked by the water that came with the poison.

[Beyond]

Scientists study how a spider detects web vibrations, by using a 4-foot square web and artificial spiders.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35849341

[orin stepanek]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... 6PsXQ#t=29

[bystander]

http://shutupimstilltalkingcorner.com/01114f919b63a1

[geckzilla]

The YouTube link below that is fairly entertaining. I can't understand what they are saying but they seem to be enjoying themselves even if they are a little uneasy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjtdwcseT1Q