188 [January 



The Tarantula (Mygale Hentzii Girard) and its Destroyer (Pompihis forniosus*S?«7/). 



BY S. B. BUCKLEY. 



In Texas there is a large brownish-black spider, whose body is covered 

 with short glossy hairs. It is armed with large, curved cheliceres or fangs 

 of a glossy black color. This spider is commonly known as the Tarantula. 

 Wonderful stories are told of the poisonous character of its bites, which 

 are said to have proved destructive to several human beings. This is one of 

 the largest spiders of North America, only being excelled in size by the 

 Mygale americana of the Central American region. Full grown speci- 

 mens of our species are about two inches long and one and a quarter broad. 

 Its habits are those of the other hunting spiders; it has no web but lives 

 in cavities, excavated by itself, in the earth. The entrances to these cav- 

 ities are said to be sometimes closed by a trap-door, which, however, I have 

 never observed, though when in Texas I have frequently seen their domi- 

 cils in which they were hiding with only their heads projecting above the 

 openings. Sometimes it lies in wait near its den. At other times it sallies 

 forth moving slowly in the neighborhood of its dwelling, and should it 

 discover a weaker insect it darts quickly and often secures the unwary one 

 for its food. 



It very rarely injures any person as it never bites unless disturbed, nor 

 does it often choose an abode near houses. I have several times teased it 

 with a long stick but could never make it jump more than a few inches. 

 It would stand erect and fight bravely, biting the provoking instrument, 

 but would always run away the minute the stick was withdrawn. The 

 Texan Tarantula is entirely distinct from the spider of the same name 

 found in Italy, belonging in fact to a different genus. The Mtjf/alc ILnf- 

 z!l was first described by Girard in Marcy's Report of the Exploration of 

 the Red river of Louisiana. 



To prevent too great an increase of these large spiders, Providence has 

 created an insect of the wasp family (7'V>»/^>//».s- /oymos»s Say) called by 

 the Texans the Tarantula-killer. It is about an inch and a half long, 

 with a bluish-green body and golden-rufous wings. It is a bustling un(|uiet 

 insect, always in motion, flying now here, now there, and when running 

 on the ground, its wings are in a constant state of vibration. Sliovdd 

 it discover a Tarantvda it begins instantly to fly in circles in the air, around 

 its victim. The spider, as if knowing its fate, trembles violently, stand- 

 ing up and making a show of fight, but the resistance is very feeble and 

 of no avail. The spider's foe soon discovers a favorable moment and darts 

 upon the Tarantula whom it wounds with its sting, and again commences 

 flying in circles. The injunnl spider is thrown into a tieruor ami often 



