REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST, 1 898 219 



EURYPELMA HENTZII Girard 



Moltitig of a Tarantula 

 Class Arachnida : Ord. Araneida : Fam. Theraphosidae 



Though not of economic importance and a native of the southern 

 states, this spider has excited so much popular interest that it is deemed 

 worthy of a brief notice. 



This large female tarantula, a gift to the division by Dr J. M. 

 Bigelow of Albany, came into my custody last January. For the preced- 

 ing two years, she had been kept as a pet by her owner, he having 

 secured her from a dealer in bananas and other fruits. At the time the 

 spider came into the doctor's possession, she was nearly half grown^ 

 About the latter part of 1896, she molted or cast her old skin, which is in 

 the state collection* 



Habits. Though this and related species are said to prey upon 

 insects and other small creatures, this specimen attacked none of the 

 cockroaches and other forms put into her cage or manifested any interest 

 in them during the early part of the year. Meat placed in her cage was 

 apparently untouched. A banana skin excited some attention, but there 

 were no signs of her feeding upon it. Apparently, she had taken only 

 large quantities of water during the first half of the year, though much 

 that was put into her cage must have evaporated. Sometime after molt- 

 ing, she devoured a large piece of fresh meat with great eagerness and 

 subsequently has taken it readily every few days. 



Molting". On July 21, the tarantula shed its skin for the second 

 time since it has been in captivity. Those familiar with insects, 

 spiders and related creatures, are aware that they are incased in a hard, 

 more or less unyielding integument. Increase of size is permissible only 

 when the old skin is shed and one that has been newly formed beneath 

 expands to the requisite degree. This is a process constantly occurring 

 in nature and ever excites interest in the beholder. When a large spider, 

 three inches long, throws off the old integument, it is a thrilling sight. 

 In the present case the tarantula had evidently been feeling unwell for 

 some days, a condition frequently preceding this process among insects, 

 and that morning she was found lying on her back and apparently dead, 

 but moved a little upon being disturbed. She lay thus till about quarter 

 past twelve when the rustling her movements made excited attention. 

 The old skin had then ruptured around the thorax in such a manner that 

 the top could be removed entire and through this opening the giant 

 spider was literally working out of her old skin (see plate 6.) This 

 was accomplished by the aid of the eight legs and the two leg-like 



