280 ] The Wonderful Ways of Insects and Spiders 



in the case of these two species, the deadliness of the bite has been 

 greatly exaggerated. If victims are properly treated, they recover 

 promptly. 



It used to be thought that black widows were found only in 

 the South, but they are constantly being discovered and always 

 with great surprise in New York, Connecticut, and other north- 

 ern states. The large, hairy tarantula (the banana spider) also 

 occasionally appears up north, after traveling as a stowaway in a 

 bunch of bananas. In the tropics tarantulas are constantly on the 

 prowl among this fruit for roaches and other insect food; so, 

 chances are strong that a certain number will be moved aboard 

 ship. 



The bite of ordinary spiders is poisonous that is the way they 

 kill for food. Some bites cause swelling and irritation, possibly 

 to the extent produced by a wasp's sting. However, the poison is 

 usually administered in minute quantities; and few spiders are 

 strong enough to be able to bite through a human skin even if 

 they tried. 



STYLES IN SPIDER TRAPS 



Spiders are past masters at keeping out of sight, but we 

 have little trouble finding the silken traps they weave. Thus we 

 rarely see the little house spider that prefers life indoors; still, 

 we know it has been about when we discover cobwebs in dark 

 and undisturbed corners. The funnel-shaped webs you may see 

 spread over the fields if you go for an early-morning walk are the 

 work of grass spiders. 



A close relative of this species frequents cellars, so it is not 

 surprising to find the same kind of funnel-shaped webs in your 

 cellar. The most exquisite of all webs are those constructed by the 

 orb builders, which often do their weaving in gardens or on 

 porches. 



Remote-control Traps: Sometimes you may find an orb weaver 

 stationed at the center of its web, waiting for its prey; some species 

 make a habit of this. Others, however, keep themselves hidden 

 nearby. A spider that remains away from its web rests one of its 



