Michigan Spiders is Changing to USA Spiders
MichiganSpiders.Blogspot.com has moved to USAspiders.com.
Michigan Spiders the Printed Version of the Book
Michigan Spiders, the printed version of the book is available!
But this year I have pushed to get it done. I have added updated pictures as well as new spiders to the book.
If you happen to be camping, fishing, hunting, or just at a park when you see a spider and you want to know what it is? Just keep the book with you and you can look it up.
A neat little feature I added to the printed version of the book is a quick index at the back of the book. It has smaller versions of the pictures of the spiders all close together with the name of the spider below them. This will make it easy to just scan through the pictures and find the spider that looks like the one you have found.
This is not like your fiction books that you read once and toss aside to never look at again. Michigan Spiders (the Printed Book) will be a guide you can turn to over and over for years to come. For the price of $22.99, you can have the best guide to the common spiders you will find in Michigan at your fingertips.
Buy the book at Amazon now! Have the spiders of Michigan in your hands today!
Dont forget to leave a review of the book at http://www.amazon.com/Michigan-Spiders-K-J-Ester/dp/1490459634/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
It took a couple of extra years to get this book right for printing. You would be surprised how good clear pictures on your computer will turn out so dark once they are printed. Working 50 plus hours a week at a job that will pay the bills, it didnt leave much time to be working on the book much less the site.
If you happen to be camping, fishing, hunting, or just at a park when you see a spider and you want to know what it is? Just keep the book with you and you can look it up.
A neat little feature I added to the printed version of the book is a quick index at the back of the book. It has smaller versions of the pictures of the spiders all close together with the name of the spider below them. This will make it easy to just scan through the pictures and find the spider that looks like the one you have found.
This is not like your fiction books that you read once and toss aside to never look at again. Michigan Spiders (the Printed Book) will be a guide you can turn to over and over for years to come. For the price of $22.99, you can have the best guide to the common spiders you will find in Michigan at your fingertips.
Buy the book at Amazon now! Have the spiders of Michigan in your hands today!
Dont forget to leave a review of the book at http://www.amazon.com/Michigan-Spiders-K-J-Ester/dp/1490459634/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Thanks again to Karri Klawiter for the exceptional cover design! :o)
So You Might Have a Brown Recluse Huh?
Contrary to very common belief, the Brown recluse spider is not indigenous to Michigan. Yes I know. You or someone you know was bit by one once. Trust me, everybody knows someone who was bit by this spider. Yet, not one of them have caught the spider (dead or alive) to have it identified.
If you find a Brown recluse, there are some rules you really should follow.
1) Catch it. Preferably alive, but having a dead specimen is still much better than no specimen. If it is alive, make sure you note that on a label on the container so nobody opens it not expecting a Brown recluse to run out. If it is dead, place it in a small container of alcohol to preserve it.
2) Take some pictures of it. The clearer the pics the better. Show the top of the spider and the front of it. Try hard to get the eyes in a picture.
3) Email me or a real entomologist first and attach the pictures of the spider to the email. IF they think it really might be one, they will tell you, and then you can get the information where to send it for proper identification.
4) Be completely honest in answering any questions they may have for you. After all, it is important to learn whether the spider was brought in somehow or not.
Every expert will tell you the Brown recluse is not in Michigan other than a very rare rogue spider that was brought here inside boxes or packages or something. If you believe they really are here, the only way you can prove it is by getting them identified.
NOTE*
Please, if you wish to debate whether the recluse is in Michigan or not, don't do it on comments at the end of this page. Do it where others will take part a little more. Like go to the comments after this post... The Myth of the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow Spiders ... and read the argument here.
If you find a Brown recluse, there are some rules you really should follow.
1) Catch it. Preferably alive, but having a dead specimen is still much better than no specimen. If it is alive, make sure you note that on a label on the container so nobody opens it not expecting a Brown recluse to run out. If it is dead, place it in a small container of alcohol to preserve it.
2) Take some pictures of it. The clearer the pics the better. Show the top of the spider and the front of it. Try hard to get the eyes in a picture.
3) Email me or a real entomologist first and attach the pictures of the spider to the email. IF they think it really might be one, they will tell you, and then you can get the information where to send it for proper identification.
4) Be completely honest in answering any questions they may have for you. After all, it is important to learn whether the spider was brought in somehow or not.
Every expert will tell you the Brown recluse is not in Michigan other than a very rare rogue spider that was brought here inside boxes or packages or something. If you believe they really are here, the only way you can prove it is by getting them identified.
NOTE*
Please, if you wish to debate whether the recluse is in Michigan or not, don't do it on comments at the end of this page. Do it where others will take part a little more. Like go to the comments after this post... The Myth of the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow Spiders ... and read the argument here.
Getting a Spider Identified
Did you find a spider that is nothing like any you have seen before? Or maybe you see the spider all the time and finally just want to learn more about it. Well, I am sad to inform you that like everything else in this world, there are rules to abide by. Please follow the rules below as much as you can.
Please leave the following info in the body of the email.
1) First and Last name.
2) City and State where the spider was found. (If you are from outside of Michigan, please send it to (Spiderguide@hotmail.com) instead.
3) Information on where it was found might help. In a bedroom, attic, barn, or out in the garden, a wood pile, etc...
WARNING -- By sending me a picture, you are giving me permission to use the picture in one of my sites, or in my book, if I should choose to do so. Any pictures I use, I will place your name and city where it was found beneath the picture as the photographer. Most people do not mind this, but if you should for some reason not wish me to use either your first or last name, the city you put in the email, or even the picture itself, you must make it clear what you do not wish me to use. If by chance I make a mistake and use the wrong info, please email me and I will correct it.
EMAIL a PICTURE
The more detail the better. When trying to identify spiders by pictures, I prefer to see pictures looking at the top of the spider. If I can see the shape of the two body parts, the colors, and the markings, it will go a long way to getting the spider correctly identified. If you have a good enough camera and are not afraid to get a good close macro shot of its eye pattern, that can also help immensely.
Please attach the picture as its own file to the email. If I open the email and can see the picture in with where you would write a message, this often works against me. The problem with it is that I cannot zoom into the picture while it is in the email and if I save it from the email, it will save it the same size as I see it in the email. So when I do zoom in then, it will pixilate immediately. Most pictures are larger files so that if you look at it at 100%, it is much larger than the screen. That is what I want. The original picture file attached to the email, for me to download to my spider pictures folder. That way when I open it in a viewer, I can zoom in and see more detail before it pixilates. However, if you do send it in a way I do not like and I ask for it differently, please do not feel offended. I am never upset with any picture. I just might ask for it in a different way in order to better my chances of helping you. And if you for some reason cannot do it the way I ask, just let me know and I will give you the best answer I can with what I got.
Another reason I like the pictures of spiders as attached files, is because it allows me to look through my emails and find the emails with attachments easier.
-- Files attached to emails.
-- Tops of spiders and possibly eye patterns are most important.
-- The clearer the better. The blurrier it is, the harder it is for me to identify.
-- A picture of the web is sometimes helpful too.
EMAIL a DESCRIPTION
If you have a picture of any quality, I would prefer you to send that with the description to give me the best chance of success. If you do decide to describe the spider, please give as much of the following description as possible....
-- Shape of the abdomen
-- Size of abdomen in comparison to the front body part
-- Colors and markings on the abdomen, front body part, and legs.
-- Are the legs banded or a solid color?
-- Are the legs super thin or thick?
-- Do the legs have spiny hairs on them?
-- Describe the web (if a web is present).
Keep in mind that it can be extremely difficult to identify a spider by a description. Most cases will likely end up nothing more than a possible ID and a pure guess. Often, not even that much. There are simply too many spiders that can look too much like others and it would be just a tiny mark or shape that might tell me what it is. Even with a good clear detailed picture, there or times when I cannot help. But you have my word, I will always do my best.
SENDING ME the SPIDER
This will not happen too often. It is only in certain circumstances where I will give my address out to someone to send me a spider. Usually, these extreme cases are because it happens to be a spider I really want to look at. Far more often, if I cannot identify it and it is important enough to you are to me, I will give you the info to send the specimen to an entomologist I am in contact with, as they have far more knowledge than I do and can put it under the microscope to look at the genitalia in order to give a 100% positive identification.
EMAILS
If the spider was not found in Michigan, please email the request to SPIDERGUIDE@HOTMAIL.COM
(Please! Remember to inform me what state it was found!)
If the spider was in fact found in Michigan, please email the request to MICHIGANSPIDERS@HOTMAIL.COM
Please leave the following info in the body of the email.
1) First and Last name.
2) City and State where the spider was found. (If you are from outside of Michigan, please send it to (Spiderguide@hotmail.com) instead.
3) Information on where it was found might help. In a bedroom, attic, barn, or out in the garden, a wood pile, etc...
WARNING -- By sending me a picture, you are giving me permission to use the picture in one of my sites, or in my book, if I should choose to do so. Any pictures I use, I will place your name and city where it was found beneath the picture as the photographer. Most people do not mind this, but if you should for some reason not wish me to use either your first or last name, the city you put in the email, or even the picture itself, you must make it clear what you do not wish me to use. If by chance I make a mistake and use the wrong info, please email me and I will correct it.
EMAIL a PICTURE
The more detail the better. When trying to identify spiders by pictures, I prefer to see pictures looking at the top of the spider. If I can see the shape of the two body parts, the colors, and the markings, it will go a long way to getting the spider correctly identified. If you have a good enough camera and are not afraid to get a good close macro shot of its eye pattern, that can also help immensely.
Please attach the picture as its own file to the email. If I open the email and can see the picture in with where you would write a message, this often works against me. The problem with it is that I cannot zoom into the picture while it is in the email and if I save it from the email, it will save it the same size as I see it in the email. So when I do zoom in then, it will pixilate immediately. Most pictures are larger files so that if you look at it at 100%, it is much larger than the screen. That is what I want. The original picture file attached to the email, for me to download to my spider pictures folder. That way when I open it in a viewer, I can zoom in and see more detail before it pixilates. However, if you do send it in a way I do not like and I ask for it differently, please do not feel offended. I am never upset with any picture. I just might ask for it in a different way in order to better my chances of helping you. And if you for some reason cannot do it the way I ask, just let me know and I will give you the best answer I can with what I got.
Another reason I like the pictures of spiders as attached files, is because it allows me to look through my emails and find the emails with attachments easier.
-- Files attached to emails.
-- Tops of spiders and possibly eye patterns are most important.
-- The clearer the better. The blurrier it is, the harder it is for me to identify.
-- A picture of the web is sometimes helpful too.
EMAIL a DESCRIPTION
If you have a picture of any quality, I would prefer you to send that with the description to give me the best chance of success. If you do decide to describe the spider, please give as much of the following description as possible....
-- Shape of the abdomen
-- Size of abdomen in comparison to the front body part
-- Colors and markings on the abdomen, front body part, and legs.
-- Are the legs banded or a solid color?
-- Are the legs super thin or thick?
-- Do the legs have spiny hairs on them?
-- Describe the web (if a web is present).
Keep in mind that it can be extremely difficult to identify a spider by a description. Most cases will likely end up nothing more than a possible ID and a pure guess. Often, not even that much. There are simply too many spiders that can look too much like others and it would be just a tiny mark or shape that might tell me what it is. Even with a good clear detailed picture, there or times when I cannot help. But you have my word, I will always do my best.
SENDING ME the SPIDER
This will not happen too often. It is only in certain circumstances where I will give my address out to someone to send me a spider. Usually, these extreme cases are because it happens to be a spider I really want to look at. Far more often, if I cannot identify it and it is important enough to you are to me, I will give you the info to send the specimen to an entomologist I am in contact with, as they have far more knowledge than I do and can put it under the microscope to look at the genitalia in order to give a 100% positive identification.
EMAILS
If the spider was not found in Michigan, please email the request to SPIDERGUIDE@HOTMAIL.COM
(Please! Remember to inform me what state it was found!)
If the spider was in fact found in Michigan, please email the request to MICHIGANSPIDERS@HOTMAIL.COM
Where are the Spiders?
I am seeing very few spiders this year. In fact, I have not had to use my spider catching jar even once since Winter finally retired. Today my site had less than 400 visitors and I received zero emails. So I thought I would use a few moments before I go to bed and promote my other site, the Spider Guide.
The new site is far from finished and still nowhere near as filled with spiders as Michigan Spiders is, but its started. I will be honest, I created it from selfishness. Michigan Spiders has kept me busy in the warm months, but overall for a year, it has brought in very little income. In a normal summer, I will answer up to a dozen emails every night, identifying spiders for people. Sometimes I will spend twice as much time looking up spiders I am not very familiar with. I have done this for four years for no other reason than to help people out. And I will never charge anyone for my help. I get my money through Google Ads and that is pretty much it. To be honest, it really doesnt add up to much.
I have grown tired of being broke and juggling bills to survive because my regular job doesnt pay enough. It gets tiring knowing my wife always has to stress over our finances. But I cannot and will not charge people for helping them. Then a thought came to me. Michigan is only one state.
I started considering how much it would help if I was getting the same amount of emails from every state. To be honest, it might not be enough to retire from the automotive engineering field, but it would make a huge difference to getting my bills paid and my wife not worrying about if we can afford to by new socks.
Unfortunately, there is a problem. Getting the Spider Guide found by people in other states.
If you have asked me to identify a spider before, please ask yourself if you were satisfied with my replies. Was I polite, prompt, accurate with my ID? If you were happy with my help, or if Michigan Spiders was a help to you, I would ask you for a small favor. Head over to the Spider Guide and look around. Click on the Google+1 button, follow it. These are the things that will help the Spider Guide be found in searches.
In the mean time, please feel free to continue to use Michigan Spiders and send me pictures to ID.
The new site is far from finished and still nowhere near as filled with spiders as Michigan Spiders is, but its started. I will be honest, I created it from selfishness. Michigan Spiders has kept me busy in the warm months, but overall for a year, it has brought in very little income. In a normal summer, I will answer up to a dozen emails every night, identifying spiders for people. Sometimes I will spend twice as much time looking up spiders I am not very familiar with. I have done this for four years for no other reason than to help people out. And I will never charge anyone for my help. I get my money through Google Ads and that is pretty much it. To be honest, it really doesnt add up to much.
I have grown tired of being broke and juggling bills to survive because my regular job doesnt pay enough. It gets tiring knowing my wife always has to stress over our finances. But I cannot and will not charge people for helping them. Then a thought came to me. Michigan is only one state.
I started considering how much it would help if I was getting the same amount of emails from every state. To be honest, it might not be enough to retire from the automotive engineering field, but it would make a huge difference to getting my bills paid and my wife not worrying about if we can afford to by new socks.
Unfortunately, there is a problem. Getting the Spider Guide found by people in other states.
If you have asked me to identify a spider before, please ask yourself if you were satisfied with my replies. Was I polite, prompt, accurate with my ID? If you were happy with my help, or if Michigan Spiders was a help to you, I would ask you for a small favor. Head over to the Spider Guide and look around. Click on the Google+1 button, follow it. These are the things that will help the Spider Guide be found in searches.
In the mean time, please feel free to continue to use Michigan Spiders and send me pictures to ID.
Michigan Spiders Apologizes
It is the complete intentions of Michigan Spiders to be a source of good information that can be trusted, to help others learn about spiders with the belief that fear is trumped by knowledge. Recently, someone pointed out to me that I have done something that can be very counter productive to the latter.
You see, the one spider that is most feared in Michigan is the Brown Recluse. Even though the Brown Recluse is not indigenous to Michigan, and it is actually a rare case one is found, it is still the most feared spider.
The problem is, the recluse does not like to spread about like most spiders. A colony can start in a house (down south of course), and it can thrive for years and the house next door will likely never see one. When it establishes itself, it stays there. When eggs hatch, they stay in that vicinity. But they like to make their homes in boxes and things and when a family packs up and moves, they often take a few of the spiders with them. In most cases, the spiders they take with them are either male or a female that has not mated recently. So sometimes a rogue Brown Recluse is found in a state where they are not indigenous. On a very rare case, a female Recluse will be transported, lay eggs and a small colony will develop in a state where they are supposed to be.
Now keep in mind that even though a small colony might develop in a state where they dont belong, this does not mean they are becoming indigenous to that state. Remember, they are extremely reclusive and do not spread from their habitat unless something forces them to move. So instead of spreading through that state and becoming native to that state, they stay in the one building they are in and wait to be found and exterminated. If they establish a small colony in a tree or barn, and it is a cold weather state, they die during the winter.
Here in Michigan, most people believe they are indigenous to the state. When I tried to explain that they are not here, I had numerous debates, in comments and in emails, with people insisting they are here. Everyone seems to know someone who was bit by a recluse because their doctor diagnosed them with a Brown Recluse bite. Even though the spider was never seen, identified, or caught. Even though it is actually impossible for a doctor to identify a recluse bite by the wound alone. There are no tests that can positively identify a recluse bite. So when one Brown Recluse is discovered here in Michigan, there will be people who will use that as absolute proof that they do exist in Michigan. Imagine what it must mean then, when a small colony is discovered.
I will admit that something like this happened last year where a woman's house was found to have a small colony. Then less than a year later, a gentleman found a rogue recluse spider in his home. He gets a lot of packages from out of state and since he has not found any others, it is simple to figure out his spider was transported into the state. I was writing articles in Michigan Spiders about these sightings. Giving details on what cities they were discovered and such, thinking I was just writing an interesting news story about such an infamous spider being found here. What I did not consider was how these articles would be taken.
Some, maybe even most, would read these articles for what I meant them to be. An interesting story. However, whether I like it or not, too many would read these articles and their minds would wrap around one simple fact. The dreaded Brown Recluse is being found in Michigan! It wouldn't matter that these two cases are only two of the possibly five or six sightings ever actually identified here in Michigan, or that the reputation of the Brown Recluse makes the spider far more dangerous than it really is. Their minds would read those points, but their fears would push those facts aside and focus on the simple fact that the dreaded Brown Recluse was sighted in Michigan.
So articles meant to be news worthy and harmless, against my better intentions, would do just the opposite of what I want Michigan Spiders to be about. Those articles would cause fear and promote the myth of the Brown Recluse being in Michigan. Because this was pointed out to me, and by someone I have utmost respect for, I had to step back and consider whether it was good to have those articles on Michigan Spiders or not. In the end, I decided that it would make very little difference for people to know the spider was sighted in Michigan, but could be a launching pad for more fear and missinformation, so I have removed those articles from my site.
I apologize to those who were interested in the sightings, and to those who may have been effected by the sightings. Rest assured that if enough sightings happened within a span of time to make me believe there was even a chance that the Brown Recluse was becoming indigenous, I would be more for warning people than calming fears. But right now that is not the case. If you made it your mission to find a Brown Recluse in Michigan, the odds would be very high that you will die of old age and never see one. So because the odds of ever seeing one are so slim, I cannot in good faith, leave articles that will have the ability to cause fear and add to a myth for no good reason.
You see, the one spider that is most feared in Michigan is the Brown Recluse. Even though the Brown Recluse is not indigenous to Michigan, and it is actually a rare case one is found, it is still the most feared spider.
The problem is, the recluse does not like to spread about like most spiders. A colony can start in a house (down south of course), and it can thrive for years and the house next door will likely never see one. When it establishes itself, it stays there. When eggs hatch, they stay in that vicinity. But they like to make their homes in boxes and things and when a family packs up and moves, they often take a few of the spiders with them. In most cases, the spiders they take with them are either male or a female that has not mated recently. So sometimes a rogue Brown Recluse is found in a state where they are not indigenous. On a very rare case, a female Recluse will be transported, lay eggs and a small colony will develop in a state where they are supposed to be.
Now keep in mind that even though a small colony might develop in a state where they dont belong, this does not mean they are becoming indigenous to that state. Remember, they are extremely reclusive and do not spread from their habitat unless something forces them to move. So instead of spreading through that state and becoming native to that state, they stay in the one building they are in and wait to be found and exterminated. If they establish a small colony in a tree or barn, and it is a cold weather state, they die during the winter.
Here in Michigan, most people believe they are indigenous to the state. When I tried to explain that they are not here, I had numerous debates, in comments and in emails, with people insisting they are here. Everyone seems to know someone who was bit by a recluse because their doctor diagnosed them with a Brown Recluse bite. Even though the spider was never seen, identified, or caught. Even though it is actually impossible for a doctor to identify a recluse bite by the wound alone. There are no tests that can positively identify a recluse bite. So when one Brown Recluse is discovered here in Michigan, there will be people who will use that as absolute proof that they do exist in Michigan. Imagine what it must mean then, when a small colony is discovered.
I will admit that something like this happened last year where a woman's house was found to have a small colony. Then less than a year later, a gentleman found a rogue recluse spider in his home. He gets a lot of packages from out of state and since he has not found any others, it is simple to figure out his spider was transported into the state. I was writing articles in Michigan Spiders about these sightings. Giving details on what cities they were discovered and such, thinking I was just writing an interesting news story about such an infamous spider being found here. What I did not consider was how these articles would be taken.
Some, maybe even most, would read these articles for what I meant them to be. An interesting story. However, whether I like it or not, too many would read these articles and their minds would wrap around one simple fact. The dreaded Brown Recluse is being found in Michigan! It wouldn't matter that these two cases are only two of the possibly five or six sightings ever actually identified here in Michigan, or that the reputation of the Brown Recluse makes the spider far more dangerous than it really is. Their minds would read those points, but their fears would push those facts aside and focus on the simple fact that the dreaded Brown Recluse was sighted in Michigan.
So articles meant to be news worthy and harmless, against my better intentions, would do just the opposite of what I want Michigan Spiders to be about. Those articles would cause fear and promote the myth of the Brown Recluse being in Michigan. Because this was pointed out to me, and by someone I have utmost respect for, I had to step back and consider whether it was good to have those articles on Michigan Spiders or not. In the end, I decided that it would make very little difference for people to know the spider was sighted in Michigan, but could be a launching pad for more fear and missinformation, so I have removed those articles from my site.
I apologize to those who were interested in the sightings, and to those who may have been effected by the sightings. Rest assured that if enough sightings happened within a span of time to make me believe there was even a chance that the Brown Recluse was becoming indigenous, I would be more for warning people than calming fears. But right now that is not the case. If you made it your mission to find a Brown Recluse in Michigan, the odds would be very high that you will die of old age and never see one. So because the odds of ever seeing one are so slim, I cannot in good faith, leave articles that will have the ability to cause fear and add to a myth for no good reason.
Michigan Spiders - New Look
Well i hope you like the new banner and logo for Michigan Spiders. When Karri Klawiter bought Michigan Spiders, the Ebook, she noticed right away that the cover could be so much better. Being a Graphic Artist, and a very good one in my personal opinion, she emailed me and offered to create me a new book cover image for Michigan Spiders free of charge. Simply because she loves spiders, appreciated the book and site and most of all, she has a heart of gold.
Well she sent me the new cover image, which I am extremely happy with, and to my surprise, she also sent me a Banner image for the site as well as a few others I will display in the future.
Here is the new cover for Michigan Spiders the Ebook....
I have re-submitted the Ebook with the new cover image and it is now available.
If you are interested in seeing more of Karri's work, visit her site at http://artbykarri.com/
Oh yeah, if you are interested in buying Michigan SPiders, the Ebook, you can find it as well as my novels at the following places....
Smashwords
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Amazon .... At this time, Michigan Spiders is NOT available at Amazon. I am working on that. However, you can still find my other books there.
Please feel free to leave a comment with your opinion of the new image.
Well she sent me the new cover image, which I am extremely happy with, and to my surprise, she also sent me a Banner image for the site as well as a few others I will display in the future.
Here is the new cover for Michigan Spiders the Ebook....
I have re-submitted the Ebook with the new cover image and it is now available.
If you are interested in seeing more of Karri's work, visit her site at http://artbykarri.com/
Oh yeah, if you are interested in buying Michigan SPiders, the Ebook, you can find it as well as my novels at the following places....
Smashwords
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Amazon .... At this time, Michigan Spiders is NOT available at Amazon. I am working on that. However, you can still find my other books there.
Please feel free to leave a comment with your opinion of the new image.
Photographing Your Spiders
In the warmer months, I receive several emails every day with pictures of spiders attached, asking me to identify the spiders. Not only do I NOT mind answering these emails, I am always glad for them as I am always looking for new pictures that are of good quality. Unfortunately the pictures of real quality are far and few between, so I thought I would write an article that may help people get better pictures.
Now believe me, I understand that not everyone has a good camera. If all you own is a phone with a low level camera, and you cant get a clear picture of the spider, that is fine. If you want a spider identified and cannot find it for yourself on Michigan Spiders, then any picture is more helpful than no picture. The very worst that will come from a bad quality picture is that I wont be able to give you a good identification and will only give you a guess.
#1) rule in sending me a picture of a spider - Please send it as an attachment in a JPEG or BMP format. If I can open the picture as an attachment, I have the opportunity of zooming in and seeing more detail that I cannot get when it is pasted in the body of the email. Plus, if it is a good clear picture and you paste it in the body, I may not be able to copy and save it with enough quality to use on my site or book.
#2) Lighting - No I am not going to get all techical on you here. I am no photographer myself. One thing I have learned is that there are different types of light. The very best for taking pictures is real daylight light. Pictures taken in real daylight will often come out clearer than any other lighting. The next best is florescent lighting and the worst seems to be from standard light bulbs. I have found that with florescent lighting, my pictures even with a cheep low quality camera will be much more clear and detailed than with standard bulbs. Standard lighting (known in the film industry as "yellow" light) gives a picture a very grainy quality.
#3) Be Calm - I know you may be scared of spiders and this will make you a little more shaky. It will tend to make you afraid to get too close. Keep in mind that most spiders do not jump and will not launch themselves at you or your camera. The Jumping spiders we have in Michigan are not dangerous. The only spider you need to genuinely fear in Michigan is the Black Widow. If it is not a Widow, you do not need to be afraid of it. If it is a Widow, it still wont jump at you, so just dont touch it. But if you can calm your fears long enough to get a closer picture without shaking the camera, you will get a much higher quality picture.
#4) If you are using a real camera and not a simple phone camera, there is a good chance you have the Macro option. It will have a symbol of a flower. A tulip I think? This function allows you to focus on an object that is much closer to the camera. I am talking even less than an inch away. It will limit your zooming function but still allow you a much closer up shot of a spider than you would get without it. This is awesome for helping you get a picture of a spider's eye pattern and that is awesome for helping me identify the spider.
#5) Use a Quarter - If you can get a picture of the spider on or next to a quarter, it helps others who see it have a good idea how big your spider is. You can use other items as well, like a ruler, a bottle cap and so on. As long as it is something that is always one size and people are familiar with it. That is why I like to use quarters if I think of it. Everyone is very familiar with the size of a quarter. This will not help me identify it much, but it will come in handy for the viewers if I should use your picture in my site or book.
As I mentioned. I am no professional photographer. There may be some tips others can give that I am not aware of. If you have anything to add that will be of help to others (especially the novice), please add to this in the comment section.
Now believe me, I understand that not everyone has a good camera. If all you own is a phone with a low level camera, and you cant get a clear picture of the spider, that is fine. If you want a spider identified and cannot find it for yourself on Michigan Spiders, then any picture is more helpful than no picture. The very worst that will come from a bad quality picture is that I wont be able to give you a good identification and will only give you a guess.
#1) rule in sending me a picture of a spider - Please send it as an attachment in a JPEG or BMP format. If I can open the picture as an attachment, I have the opportunity of zooming in and seeing more detail that I cannot get when it is pasted in the body of the email. Plus, if it is a good clear picture and you paste it in the body, I may not be able to copy and save it with enough quality to use on my site or book.
#2) Lighting - No I am not going to get all techical on you here. I am no photographer myself. One thing I have learned is that there are different types of light. The very best for taking pictures is real daylight light. Pictures taken in real daylight will often come out clearer than any other lighting. The next best is florescent lighting and the worst seems to be from standard light bulbs. I have found that with florescent lighting, my pictures even with a cheep low quality camera will be much more clear and detailed than with standard bulbs. Standard lighting (known in the film industry as "yellow" light) gives a picture a very grainy quality.
#3) Be Calm - I know you may be scared of spiders and this will make you a little more shaky. It will tend to make you afraid to get too close. Keep in mind that most spiders do not jump and will not launch themselves at you or your camera. The Jumping spiders we have in Michigan are not dangerous. The only spider you need to genuinely fear in Michigan is the Black Widow. If it is not a Widow, you do not need to be afraid of it. If it is a Widow, it still wont jump at you, so just dont touch it. But if you can calm your fears long enough to get a closer picture without shaking the camera, you will get a much higher quality picture.
#4) If you are using a real camera and not a simple phone camera, there is a good chance you have the Macro option. It will have a symbol of a flower. A tulip I think? This function allows you to focus on an object that is much closer to the camera. I am talking even less than an inch away. It will limit your zooming function but still allow you a much closer up shot of a spider than you would get without it. This is awesome for helping you get a picture of a spider's eye pattern and that is awesome for helping me identify the spider.
#5) Use a Quarter - If you can get a picture of the spider on or next to a quarter, it helps others who see it have a good idea how big your spider is. You can use other items as well, like a ruler, a bottle cap and so on. As long as it is something that is always one size and people are familiar with it. That is why I like to use quarters if I think of it. Everyone is very familiar with the size of a quarter. This will not help me identify it much, but it will come in handy for the viewers if I should use your picture in my site or book.
As I mentioned. I am no professional photographer. There may be some tips others can give that I am not aware of. If you have anything to add that will be of help to others (especially the novice), please add to this in the comment section.
The Effects of Introducing Drugs to Spiders
This is a short documentary (1:51) about the scary effects the different drugs have when introduced to spiders.
However, I must make a couple points. They call the spider within this video a Wood Spider. It is in fact a simple Garden Orb Weaver.
The commentator unprofessionally uses a couple of medium level swear words. Please be advised if you are to let your children see this video.
However, I must make a couple points. They call the spider within this video a Wood Spider. It is in fact a simple Garden Orb Weaver.
The commentator unprofessionally uses a couple of medium level swear words. Please be advised if you are to let your children see this video.
Beyond Spider Dome - Index
Even though I run Michigan Spiders, I am not some activist
who believes you should never kill spiders. I see the outside of my home as their turf and
will let them roam free so long as they stay outside. However, if a spider
ventures into my territory (my home), they do so at the risk of death by cat, my wife and her vacuum, me with a shoe, or entering Spider Dome!
What is Spider Dome you ask? Why it's only the fiercest competition in the spider kingdom, that's all it is! Spider Dome is a clear plastic dome (well, it's more like a cylinder, really), where two spiders are entered to face each other in a fight to the death. The battles are fierce and merciless. The bloodshed is... well its non-existant really, as they do not bleed like people do. The champion will be kept as my personal pet at my work, and will be given feasts in the likes of small crickets until they are fat.
WARNING** -- If you are weak at heart and the sight of a spider dying causes your stomach to feel queezy to the point of losing yesterdays lunch, you might need to take a couple tough pills and call me in the morning. Oh, and you might not want to watch any videos in these articles.
Hahriette - The first Champion of "Beyond Spider Dome"
An article introducing the world to Hahriette, the first champion of Spider Dome and to Spider Dome itself.
Beyond Spider Dome - Episode One
Hahriette is 2-0 (both victories against Steotodas) entering this match. For the first time, she faces real competition. A foe who is quick, aggressive and willing to fight back. Then be chased around the domee before finally attacking again.
The Myth of the Brown Recluse - Part 2
I have had a long debate on whether the Brown Recluse is indigenous to Michigan or not. I would like to take this article to state all of the facts from both sides.
Reasons I say they are not here in Michigan
1) Entomologists have learned that the Brown Recluse cannot live in temperatures under 40 degrees. Since Michigan winters get so much colder than that for long periods, they could not possibly survive here in the outdoors.
2) I have only been able to uncover four confirmed sightings of the Brown Recluse in Michigan. By "Confirmed" I mean identified by someone who actually knows what they are talking about. The DNR mentions one sighting and articles from MSU Entomology department reveals three others. All but one have been traced to find the spider was brought to Michigan by someone who came back from a trip down south.
3) All of the entomologists I have spoken to, emailed with, or read articles by, have said the same thing. Michigan gets too cold for the Brown Recluse to survive. It is not indigenous to Michigan and doctors continue to frequently misdiagnose MRSA and other infections as Brown Recluse bites.
4) I have challenged my readers to show me some real evidence they live in Michigan. I have received links to the same articles I have mentioned. That is it. Many have stories of knowing someone who was bit by one, but cannot or will not supply me with a doctor's name and number, send me medical records or say who identified the spider. Most say they never saw the spider.
5) I have been sent hundreds of pictures from people asking me to help them identify the spider they saw. Not one has been the recluse. I have received a few Black Widows, but not one Brown Recluse.
6) I can find many maps on-line showing the regions in the USA where the Brown Recluse lives. None of them come close to Michigan. They reach the bottom edge of Ohio at best. THere are many articles stating that the Recluse cannot live in colder weather. I cannot find even one article by a reputable source that says the Brown Recluse lives in Michigan. Not one!
Reasons to believe the Brown Recluse DOES live in Michigan.
1) There are a lot of stories about people who know people who were bitten by the Brown Recluse.
2) There are many people who say they have seen them. (Even though none of them have shown me one yet.)
3) Of the four confirmed sightings, there was still the one that they never proved was brought in from a trip down south.
The Truth
When you put all of the evidence that the Brown Recluse does NOT live in Michigan together, it is overwhelming. It is backed up by experts, and reputable sites. The evidence stating it does live in Michigan is underwhelming at best and for the most part, nothing more than a lot of second hand stories by people who do not know the Recluse from the Yellow Sac Spider, and Doctors misdiagnosing the bites.
The truth is, the only chance of a Brown Recluse being in Michigan, is if it is brought here from someone who comes back from down south. The only way it could possibly survive in Michigan is if it is blown from a truck from down south, and makes its way into a house or building that is always heated. Yet, even on this very rare occurrence, the facts show that the Brown Recluse would not be able to spread out and survive our Winters. It would only survive so long as it stays in the heated building.
With almost 10 million people in Michigan, and everyone knowing at least someone who was bit by a brown recluse, how is it nobody is able to show any real evidence? However reclusive the spider is, isnt the lack of proof very telling?
I know that many of you know someone who was diagnosed as being bitten. Please tell them to get a 2nd opinion, or tell the doc the Recluse is not indigenous to Michigan and to check it for MRSA and other infections. If you have them around, send me a picture in the least. Send me a spider in a container (preferably dead). Please, send me evidence.
Experts say it is not living in Michigan. I say it is not living in Michigan. Science says it is not in Michigan. Who will you believe? The experts, or the stories by those who do not know a lot about spiders?
The Brown Recluse is the most misidentified spider because it is one of the most feared and there are several spiders that have some features that are similar. The most common ones to be mistaken for the Recluse is the Yellow Sac Spider, and a variety of the Fishing Spider. But truth be told, I have had people send many kinds of spider pics in, afraid they may be Recluse spiders. Believe me when I say, if they did live here, I would want to know so I could warn people and teach them how to deal with them. My site is about the truth and until people start showing me evidence they live here, I will be forced to continue to preach the truth as I see it, because the evidence is overwhelming that they do NOT live in Michigan.
Reasons I say they are not here in Michigan
1) Entomologists have learned that the Brown Recluse cannot live in temperatures under 40 degrees. Since Michigan winters get so much colder than that for long periods, they could not possibly survive here in the outdoors.
2) I have only been able to uncover four confirmed sightings of the Brown Recluse in Michigan. By "Confirmed" I mean identified by someone who actually knows what they are talking about. The DNR mentions one sighting and articles from MSU Entomology department reveals three others. All but one have been traced to find the spider was brought to Michigan by someone who came back from a trip down south.
3) All of the entomologists I have spoken to, emailed with, or read articles by, have said the same thing. Michigan gets too cold for the Brown Recluse to survive. It is not indigenous to Michigan and doctors continue to frequently misdiagnose MRSA and other infections as Brown Recluse bites.
4) I have challenged my readers to show me some real evidence they live in Michigan. I have received links to the same articles I have mentioned. That is it. Many have stories of knowing someone who was bit by one, but cannot or will not supply me with a doctor's name and number, send me medical records or say who identified the spider. Most say they never saw the spider.
5) I have been sent hundreds of pictures from people asking me to help them identify the spider they saw. Not one has been the recluse. I have received a few Black Widows, but not one Brown Recluse.
6) I can find many maps on-line showing the regions in the USA where the Brown Recluse lives. None of them come close to Michigan. They reach the bottom edge of Ohio at best. THere are many articles stating that the Recluse cannot live in colder weather. I cannot find even one article by a reputable source that says the Brown Recluse lives in Michigan. Not one!
Reasons to believe the Brown Recluse DOES live in Michigan.
1) There are a lot of stories about people who know people who were bitten by the Brown Recluse.
2) There are many people who say they have seen them. (Even though none of them have shown me one yet.)
3) Of the four confirmed sightings, there was still the one that they never proved was brought in from a trip down south.
The Truth
When you put all of the evidence that the Brown Recluse does NOT live in Michigan together, it is overwhelming. It is backed up by experts, and reputable sites. The evidence stating it does live in Michigan is underwhelming at best and for the most part, nothing more than a lot of second hand stories by people who do not know the Recluse from the Yellow Sac Spider, and Doctors misdiagnosing the bites.
The truth is, the only chance of a Brown Recluse being in Michigan, is if it is brought here from someone who comes back from down south. The only way it could possibly survive in Michigan is if it is blown from a truck from down south, and makes its way into a house or building that is always heated. Yet, even on this very rare occurrence, the facts show that the Brown Recluse would not be able to spread out and survive our Winters. It would only survive so long as it stays in the heated building.
With almost 10 million people in Michigan, and everyone knowing at least someone who was bit by a brown recluse, how is it nobody is able to show any real evidence? However reclusive the spider is, isnt the lack of proof very telling?
I know that many of you know someone who was diagnosed as being bitten. Please tell them to get a 2nd opinion, or tell the doc the Recluse is not indigenous to Michigan and to check it for MRSA and other infections. If you have them around, send me a picture in the least. Send me a spider in a container (preferably dead). Please, send me evidence.
Experts say it is not living in Michigan. I say it is not living in Michigan. Science says it is not in Michigan. Who will you believe? The experts, or the stories by those who do not know a lot about spiders?
The Brown Recluse is the most misidentified spider because it is one of the most feared and there are several spiders that have some features that are similar. The most common ones to be mistaken for the Recluse is the Yellow Sac Spider, and a variety of the Fishing Spider. But truth be told, I have had people send many kinds of spider pics in, afraid they may be Recluse spiders. Believe me when I say, if they did live here, I would want to know so I could warn people and teach them how to deal with them. My site is about the truth and until people start showing me evidence they live here, I will be forced to continue to preach the truth as I see it, because the evidence is overwhelming that they do NOT live in Michigan.
Beyond Spider Dome - Episode One
Hahriette, the current reigning champion of Spiderdome faced her greatest competition yet. Another Daring Jumping Spider. Clarise the Killer was a little smaller than Hahriette, but from the white spots on her back, she was older and more experienced.
It was a match to remember as the two hunters of the spider world faced off with quick attacks and fast retreats. Watch the video and see for yourself, but be warned. It is a grueling finish. Did we get a new champion? Does Hahriette continue her reign of power?
Okay, I will spoil this one for you. I am proud to say, Hahriette has shown, once again, she is the Queen of Spiderdome and still our beloved champion! Hahriette is now 3-0.
NOTE**
I do not look for spiders to face off in Spiderdome. I only take volunteers. If they enter my home, they volunteer. I believe my house is my territory and outside is theirs. Any spider that enters my domain faces the punishment of death. Whether it is by my wife with a shoe, one of two cats, or being entered into Spiderdome. Personally, I prefer it to be Spiderdome. I get entertainment, Michigan Spiders gets another match to display, and the spider gets a chance to become the new champion that will be pampered with a good life style and a lifetime supply of crickets.
It was a match to remember as the two hunters of the spider world faced off with quick attacks and fast retreats. Watch the video and see for yourself, but be warned. It is a grueling finish. Did we get a new champion? Does Hahriette continue her reign of power?
Okay, I will spoil this one for you. I am proud to say, Hahriette has shown, once again, she is the Queen of Spiderdome and still our beloved champion! Hahriette is now 3-0.
NOTE**
I do not look for spiders to face off in Spiderdome. I only take volunteers. If they enter my home, they volunteer. I believe my house is my territory and outside is theirs. Any spider that enters my domain faces the punishment of death. Whether it is by my wife with a shoe, one of two cats, or being entered into Spiderdome. Personally, I prefer it to be Spiderdome. I get entertainment, Michigan Spiders gets another match to display, and the spider gets a chance to become the new champion that will be pampered with a good life style and a lifetime supply of crickets.
Hahriette - The first Champion of "Beyond Spider Dome"
Meet Hahriette, a Daring Jumping Spider, and the current champion of "Beyond Spider Dome".
I caught Hahriette on my bedroom blinds back in January and with it being so cold outside, I didn't have the heart to toss it out. However, my wife does not like spiders and didn't want me to keep it around, so I did the only thing I could do. I took her to work and kept her in a plastic container.
I have been stopping at Petco once every couple weeks to by a few small crickets and she would feast on them, one every day or two until they ran out and I would wait a week before buying more. A gruesome but interesting thing I noticed is that Hahriette tends to eat the crickets from the back first. Almost every time, she would consume everything but one jumping leg and the head. I believe she doesnt like the head and the one leg just happens to fall loose as she eats.
It is a common believe that spiders will catch their prey and suck the blood from them. The truth is the fangs are used to inject venom and somewhat to hold the pray as it eats. Spiders actually do have mouth parts they use to actually eat their prey.
Near the end of February, Hahriette started spinning a web. This surprised me because to my knowledge, Jumping Spiders only used web as anchor lines. They will attach the web to the surface they are on before they jump or when they walk on ceilings or such. This way, if they miss the jump or fall from the surface, they have the safety line to catch them. In this case, Hahriette started creating a sac in the corner of her cage and then once it was thick enough, she crawled into it. It turns out that jumping spiders will do this to molt. A few days later, she crawled out of the web, leaving behind a shell of herself.
Presently, Hahriette has orange spots on her back. This is typical for younger jumping spiders. As they become adults, the spots will change from orange to white. I am expecting the spots to change the next time she sheds her outer shell.
Twice since I have had her, I have played what I now refer to as "Beyond Spider Dome". In both cases, I found Steotodas which I placed in the container with Hahriette. I had read before that the Steatoda is known for hunting dangerous spiders like Black Widows, and I wanted to know what would happen between them. Since I still Have Hahriette, the answer to what happened is obvious. Hahriette is the reigning champion of Spider Dome. In both cases, she wasted no time in moving into position and leaping on the Steotoda to make a quick meal of the smaller spider. I am looking forward to seeing what happens if I put a Wolf Spider of comparable size in with her.
At full size, Hahriette is approximately 5/8 of an inch including the legs. If she was to spread them out, I might say 3/4". The picture below is not the best quality, but it is good for understanding her size, since everyone is familiar with the size of a quarter.
Hahriette seams to be thriving in the container I have for her. I may look into moving her into one a little larger soon. As a little something different, I think I will be reporting on future episodes of Spider Dome. I will not be venturing outside to look for opponents, but any spider that ventures into my domain, will be doing so at the risk of entering "Beyond Spider Dome" and facing the current champion. I do hope that will continue to be Hahriette. We will see. :o)
I caught Hahriette on my bedroom blinds back in January and with it being so cold outside, I didn't have the heart to toss it out. However, my wife does not like spiders and didn't want me to keep it around, so I did the only thing I could do. I took her to work and kept her in a plastic container.
I have been stopping at Petco once every couple weeks to by a few small crickets and she would feast on them, one every day or two until they ran out and I would wait a week before buying more. A gruesome but interesting thing I noticed is that Hahriette tends to eat the crickets from the back first. Almost every time, she would consume everything but one jumping leg and the head. I believe she doesnt like the head and the one leg just happens to fall loose as she eats.
It is a common believe that spiders will catch their prey and suck the blood from them. The truth is the fangs are used to inject venom and somewhat to hold the pray as it eats. Spiders actually do have mouth parts they use to actually eat their prey.
Near the end of February, Hahriette started spinning a web. This surprised me because to my knowledge, Jumping Spiders only used web as anchor lines. They will attach the web to the surface they are on before they jump or when they walk on ceilings or such. This way, if they miss the jump or fall from the surface, they have the safety line to catch them. In this case, Hahriette started creating a sac in the corner of her cage and then once it was thick enough, she crawled into it. It turns out that jumping spiders will do this to molt. A few days later, she crawled out of the web, leaving behind a shell of herself.
Presently, Hahriette has orange spots on her back. This is typical for younger jumping spiders. As they become adults, the spots will change from orange to white. I am expecting the spots to change the next time she sheds her outer shell.
Twice since I have had her, I have played what I now refer to as "Beyond Spider Dome". In both cases, I found Steotodas which I placed in the container with Hahriette. I had read before that the Steatoda is known for hunting dangerous spiders like Black Widows, and I wanted to know what would happen between them. Since I still Have Hahriette, the answer to what happened is obvious. Hahriette is the reigning champion of Spider Dome. In both cases, she wasted no time in moving into position and leaping on the Steotoda to make a quick meal of the smaller spider. I am looking forward to seeing what happens if I put a Wolf Spider of comparable size in with her.
At full size, Hahriette is approximately 5/8 of an inch including the legs. If she was to spread them out, I might say 3/4". The picture below is not the best quality, but it is good for understanding her size, since everyone is familiar with the size of a quarter.
Hahriette seams to be thriving in the container I have for her. I may look into moving her into one a little larger soon. As a little something different, I think I will be reporting on future episodes of Spider Dome. I will not be venturing outside to look for opponents, but any spider that ventures into my domain, will be doing so at the risk of entering "Beyond Spider Dome" and facing the current champion. I do hope that will continue to be Hahriette. We will see. :o)
Michigan Spiders the EBOOK Coming Soon
When I created Michigan Spiders, I had no idea there were so many people who would look up spiders on a daily basis. I did not expect to get so many emails with pictures of spiders people took, asking me to help them identify them. Not that I am complaining, mind you. I enjoy helping. Then I noticed one downfall of Michigan Spiders on-line.
The spiders had to be caught or pictures taken for people to look them up!
If you are out at a park, camping, visiting friends, or wherever you might be. If you saw a spider, you would have to wait until you could get to a computer to look them up. After all, not everyone has the Internet on their phones, and to be quite honest, I have no idea how Michigan Spiders looks on a phone.
So this got me to thinking. Why not create an E-book for Michigan Spiders?
Many phones have the ability to read Ebooks. Many people have Nooks and Kindles and other Ebook readers. If they could have their own personal Michigan Spiders Ebook on their tech toys, they would be able to look up the spiders they see right o the spot. ff they don't get the answer they need from the book, well then, there is still always emailing me with a pic. :o)
Michigan Spiders the Ebook, will have all of the information the website does now and a little more. It will have good pictures of each spider. There will be more pictures showing the different varieties of many spiders. Some of the pictures have not even been added to the site yet.
Unfortunately, this will not be a free Ebook, but it will only be a few dollars and will be well worth having available wherever you are. I understand that many of you will have the Internet at your fingertips wherever you go, and you are welcome to continue using Michigan Spiders On-line as much as you wish. But for those of you who would like to have Michigan Spiders available and do not always have an Internet connection or signal, this is the way to go.
As soon as it is published and ready to go, I will post it here. Look for it soon!
The spiders had to be caught or pictures taken for people to look them up!
If you are out at a park, camping, visiting friends, or wherever you might be. If you saw a spider, you would have to wait until you could get to a computer to look them up. After all, not everyone has the Internet on their phones, and to be quite honest, I have no idea how Michigan Spiders looks on a phone.
So this got me to thinking. Why not create an E-book for Michigan Spiders?
Many phones have the ability to read Ebooks. Many people have Nooks and Kindles and other Ebook readers. If they could have their own personal Michigan Spiders Ebook on their tech toys, they would be able to look up the spiders they see right o the spot. ff they don't get the answer they need from the book, well then, there is still always emailing me with a pic. :o)
Michigan Spiders the Ebook, will have all of the information the website does now and a little more. It will have good pictures of each spider. There will be more pictures showing the different varieties of many spiders. Some of the pictures have not even been added to the site yet.
Unfortunately, this will not be a free Ebook, but it will only be a few dollars and will be well worth having available wherever you are. I understand that many of you will have the Internet at your fingertips wherever you go, and you are welcome to continue using Michigan Spiders On-line as much as you wish. But for those of you who would like to have Michigan Spiders available and do not always have an Internet connection or signal, this is the way to go.
As soon as it is published and ready to go, I will post it here. Look for it soon!
The Myth of the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow Spiders
Brown Recluse - It seems that everyone knows someone who was bit by a Brown Recluse here in Michigan. I have had several comments here from people saying they were bit or knew someone who was bit by the Recluse. I have had several e-mails stating the same thing. So let me start this off by saying... "The Brown Recluse does NOT live here in Michigan!"
If you do not wish to believe me, try checking this page from the DNR itself.... DNR on the Brown Recluse Spider.
The problem, in my opinion, is two fold. First, you have some infections like the MRSA infection that acts and looks very, very, similar to the Recluse bite. There are also some allergic reactions to spider bites that can have similar looking symptoms. Second, you have doctors who go to school, or do clinical portions of their studies, down in the southern states where the Recluse is actually indigenous. They are taught about the Recluse bite and so when they come to Michigan and see these same looking symptoms, they assume they are Recluse Spider bites. They, like most Michiganders, do not even realize that the Brown Recluse is not even in Michigan.
So you have doctors seeing these things, and misdiagnosing them as Recluse bites. The more doctors who diagnose infections and reactions as Brown Recluse bites, the more people spread the false rumors that the Recluse lives in Michigan and how they were bit. The more they spread the rumors, the more people who believe the Recluse is here in Michigan and so new doctors hear this and believe it as well. And the vicious circle continues....
According to the DNR, there has only been one confirmed sighting of the Brown Recluse here in Michigan ever. I have had two other experts tell me that the Brown Recluse is not in Michigan. I have found no documented cases to say otherwise.
If you are ever diagnosed here in Michigan by a doctor saying you were bit by the Brown Recluse, please tell them they are mistaken and to check for infectious diseases like MRSA or possible allergic reactions. It is my belief that, too often they treat people for Recluse bites and the infection does a lot more damage than it would if they treated for the correct thing to begin with.
Black Widow - I find it funny how everyone believes the Recluse is in Michigan and the Black Widow is not, when the exact opposite is the truth. Most people will tell you the Black Widow is not in Michigan. They are in fact here in Michigan.
It is far more common for the Black Widow Spider to be found along the Western coast of the lower peninsula of Michigan, but they are found in other areas as well, if more rarely. As a child, a found two spiders that I do believe were the Black Widow, in Madison Heights. Just this year alone, I have had several people tell me they found them and some of those people sent me pictures to prove it. So far the sightings that have been brought to my attention, have been along the West Coast as far North as Sleeping Bear Dunes. I have had reports from Gaylord and another place a little East of that (sorry, I cant remember the name of that place).
It is important to know that not all Black Widows are all black with a red hourglass underneath, like you see on TV all the time. The Northern Widow can have a red spotted stripe down its back. Some will have yellow or white markings on the sides of the abdomen and some can have red on the legs as well. It is important to learn more about the different looks of the Black Widows so you can recognize them if you ever see them.
To My Readers: The information I have put in this article is backed up by facts and evidence. I feel I have seen sufficient proof that the Widow does in fact live in Michigan, and sufficient proof that the Recluse in fact is NOT indigenous to Michigan. If you do not agree with this information, you are more than welcome to state your case, under this guideline..... Your statement must be backed up by some kind of evidence. Documents, an official expert getting in touch with me, an official news station doing a story on it, etc... However, if any new comments are left, stating the opposite of what I have displayed here, AND there is no kind of evidence given to back up the claims, the comment will be deleted.
It is too important to me that my readers can come to Michigan Spiders to get the truth. If my information is wrong and evidence is put forth to back that up, then I will change the information accordingly. But I will no longer allow comments to continue to be left to spread fear when there is no proof to back it up. All evidence (at this time) says the Recluse does NOT live in Michigan. No evidence says that it does. If it did, I would display it so because I believe the people should be aware of dangers rather than kept from the knowledge of them. That is why I let everyone know the Black Widow is in Michigan. But in the case of the Brown Recluse, there has yet to be any evidence put before me to say it is here in Michigan, therefore, I see any statements saying otherwise as nothing more than comments to create fear that is not called for.
If you wish me to change that stance, give me evidence as a reason to do so. Hearsay stories is not good enough. If you do not have evidence and just wish to argue, please feel to argue through e-mail. Convince me I am wrong, and I will change my story here.
If you do not wish to believe me, try checking this page from the DNR itself.... DNR on the Brown Recluse Spider.
The problem, in my opinion, is two fold. First, you have some infections like the MRSA infection that acts and looks very, very, similar to the Recluse bite. There are also some allergic reactions to spider bites that can have similar looking symptoms. Second, you have doctors who go to school, or do clinical portions of their studies, down in the southern states where the Recluse is actually indigenous. They are taught about the Recluse bite and so when they come to Michigan and see these same looking symptoms, they assume they are Recluse Spider bites. They, like most Michiganders, do not even realize that the Brown Recluse is not even in Michigan.
So you have doctors seeing these things, and misdiagnosing them as Recluse bites. The more doctors who diagnose infections and reactions as Brown Recluse bites, the more people spread the false rumors that the Recluse lives in Michigan and how they were bit. The more they spread the rumors, the more people who believe the Recluse is here in Michigan and so new doctors hear this and believe it as well. And the vicious circle continues....
According to the DNR, there has only been one confirmed sighting of the Brown Recluse here in Michigan ever. I have had two other experts tell me that the Brown Recluse is not in Michigan. I have found no documented cases to say otherwise.
If you are ever diagnosed here in Michigan by a doctor saying you were bit by the Brown Recluse, please tell them they are mistaken and to check for infectious diseases like MRSA or possible allergic reactions. It is my belief that, too often they treat people for Recluse bites and the infection does a lot more damage than it would if they treated for the correct thing to begin with.
Black Widow - I find it funny how everyone believes the Recluse is in Michigan and the Black Widow is not, when the exact opposite is the truth. Most people will tell you the Black Widow is not in Michigan. They are in fact here in Michigan.
It is far more common for the Black Widow Spider to be found along the Western coast of the lower peninsula of Michigan, but they are found in other areas as well, if more rarely. As a child, a found two spiders that I do believe were the Black Widow, in Madison Heights. Just this year alone, I have had several people tell me they found them and some of those people sent me pictures to prove it. So far the sightings that have been brought to my attention, have been along the West Coast as far North as Sleeping Bear Dunes. I have had reports from Gaylord and another place a little East of that (sorry, I cant remember the name of that place).
It is important to know that not all Black Widows are all black with a red hourglass underneath, like you see on TV all the time. The Northern Widow can have a red spotted stripe down its back. Some will have yellow or white markings on the sides of the abdomen and some can have red on the legs as well. It is important to learn more about the different looks of the Black Widows so you can recognize them if you ever see them.
To My Readers: The information I have put in this article is backed up by facts and evidence. I feel I have seen sufficient proof that the Widow does in fact live in Michigan, and sufficient proof that the Recluse in fact is NOT indigenous to Michigan. If you do not agree with this information, you are more than welcome to state your case, under this guideline..... Your statement must be backed up by some kind of evidence. Documents, an official expert getting in touch with me, an official news station doing a story on it, etc... However, if any new comments are left, stating the opposite of what I have displayed here, AND there is no kind of evidence given to back up the claims, the comment will be deleted.
It is too important to me that my readers can come to Michigan Spiders to get the truth. If my information is wrong and evidence is put forth to back that up, then I will change the information accordingly. But I will no longer allow comments to continue to be left to spread fear when there is no proof to back it up. All evidence (at this time) says the Recluse does NOT live in Michigan. No evidence says that it does. If it did, I would display it so because I believe the people should be aware of dangers rather than kept from the knowledge of them. That is why I let everyone know the Black Widow is in Michigan. But in the case of the Brown Recluse, there has yet to be any evidence put before me to say it is here in Michigan, therefore, I see any statements saying otherwise as nothing more than comments to create fear that is not called for.
If you wish me to change that stance, give me evidence as a reason to do so. Hearsay stories is not good enough. If you do not have evidence and just wish to argue, please feel to argue through e-mail. Convince me I am wrong, and I will change my story here.
Wanted - Looking for these Spiders
I have mentioned these two spiders in previous comments and articles. I have personally seen both of these spiders in Madison Heights, Michigan, but have not seen either in over 30 years. I have looked for other spiders like these on-line but have yet to find the same ones. If anyone should know what kind they are, or better yet, should ever catch one, please let me know.
The following pictures are those of Black Widows, that I changed in Photoshop to look like the spiders I caught as a kid. The Black Widow had the same body shape but the patterns did not match.
WANTED SPIDER #1
WANTED SPIDER #1
I have seen this spider twice in my life. One of those times I caught it in a jar with a friend and the other just happened to be on Halloween night and it was hanging from a guys screen door handle. When he closed his screen door, I saw it fall out of the outer handle and hang from a web then crawl back up the web and into the handle. I tried to point it out to my friends but it had disappeared before they looked and nobody believed me that there was a spider.
I am not sure if the yellow spots were in line in rows or scattered. The spider was the same structure as this picture, a deep shiny black, just like the Black Widow, but it did not have any patterns of the typical Black Widow or the Northern Black Widows and did not have the red markings underneath. Its only markings were the yellow dots on the abdomen.
WANTED SPIDER #2
This spider I have only seen once. In fact, it was the same day as we caught the other spider. My friend and I had several spiders in one jar and both the black one with yellow spots and this one were in the jar. We caught them in two different places though.
Though this spider had the same structure and size as the spotted spider, this one was not the same color. Instead of being shiny black, it was more of a deep burgundy color and had no other markings.
SIZE
Both of these spiders were the two largest spiders we had caught. If memory serves me right, (legs included) I would say they were larger than the size of a quarter.
Fishing Spider
Dolomedes Tenebrosus
Picture taken by: Laurel - Green Oaks Twp, Mi.
Cephalothorax - Approximately two thirds the size of the abdomen. Usually in patterns of black and brown in color.
Size - Some sites will state the females grow to around 75mm or 3" (including legs), but I have gotten reports and found wikipedia says as large as 100mm or about 4".
Bite Info - The Fishing spider is not considered aggressive, but may bite in defense of itself or of its eggs. They sometimes will carry their eggs underneath them. The venom is not dangerous to humans. With some of the larger species, it can cause some localized pain and swelling but there should be no lasting effects.
Other Notes - When the Fishing Spider lays eggs, it wraps them in a sac and carries it underneath them. Before they hatch it will tend to attach it to something and protect it.
Genus - Dolomedes Tenebrosus
Submitted Pics - Crab Spiders
The following, are pictures of Crab Spiders that have been submitted to me by others living in Michigan. In doing this, I am able to show pictures of spiders in Michigan that I myself have not seen, as well as more pics of those I have posted officially as being in Michigan.
Please understand that the Crab Spiders in this section may or may not be indigenous to Michigan. I would hope that others would be honest and actually send pics of the Crab Spiders they have actually found in Michigan, but I cannot make any guarantees.
I would also like to thank all of those listed below for their kindness in sending me these pics. If by any chance, you have sent me one of the following pics and you do not wish me to use it, or if any information is wrong, please email me and let me know.
Crab Spiders ....
Jenilee - Central Lake, Mi.
Please understand that the Crab Spiders in this section may or may not be indigenous to Michigan. I would hope that others would be honest and actually send pics of the Crab Spiders they have actually found in Michigan, but I cannot make any guarantees.
I would also like to thank all of those listed below for their kindness in sending me these pics. If by any chance, you have sent me one of the following pics and you do not wish me to use it, or if any information is wrong, please email me and let me know.
Crab Spiders ....
Jenilee - Central Lake, Mi.
Argiopes
Though I have not seen them personally, I feel confident that I have confirmed these to actually be living in Michigan. So far, I have identified two different species of the Argiope to live in Michigan. The Banded Argiope, and the Black and Yellow Argiope. As I find others, I will add them.
Banded Argiope
Black and Yellow Argiope
Abdomen - Large (more than double the cephalothorax) and oblong shaped. Usually black with white and yellow patterns. The pattern for the Banded Argiope has multiple stripes running across the abdomen. Males have a much more nondescript abdomen and the entire spider has more of a shiny fuzzy brownish look to it.
Cephalothorax - White (or light Gray) and slightly dull and fuzzy looking.
Female Size - Full grown they are typically around 1 Inch
Male Size - Much smaller than the female, these are typically only 1/4 inches.
Bite Info - The venom of the Argiope is not considered dangerous to humans.
Other Notes - The Argiopes are Orb Weavers and will spin webs in a circular pattern that is supported in a vertical manner to catch flying insects. Unlike most other Orb Weavers, the Argiope's web will usually have a long and thick zigzag pattern in the center.
Another name for them is the Saint Andrews Cross for the way they pair their legs up and stretch them out together to create a cross look.
Genus - Argiope aurantia (Black and Yellow Argiope) / Argiope trifasciata (Banded Argiope)
Banded Argiope
Black and Yellow ArgiopeAbdomen - Large (more than double the cephalothorax) and oblong shaped. Usually black with white and yellow patterns. The pattern for the Banded Argiope has multiple stripes running across the abdomen. Males have a much more nondescript abdomen and the entire spider has more of a shiny fuzzy brownish look to it.
Cephalothorax - White (or light Gray) and slightly dull and fuzzy looking.
Female Size - Full grown they are typically around 1 Inch
Male Size - Much smaller than the female, these are typically only 1/4 inches.
Bite Info - The venom of the Argiope is not considered dangerous to humans.
Other Notes - The Argiopes are Orb Weavers and will spin webs in a circular pattern that is supported in a vertical manner to catch flying insects. Unlike most other Orb Weavers, the Argiope's web will usually have a long and thick zigzag pattern in the center.
Another name for them is the Saint Andrews Cross for the way they pair their legs up and stretch them out together to create a cross look.
Genus - Argiope aurantia (Black and Yellow Argiope) / Argiope trifasciata (Banded Argiope)
Submitted Pics - Black and Yellow Argiope
The following, are pictures of Black & Yellow Argiopes that have been submitted to me by others living in Michigan. In doing this, I am able to show pictures of spiders in Michigan that I myself have not seen, as well as more pics of those I have posted officially as being in Michigan.
Please understand that the Black & Yellow Argiope Spiders in this section may or may not be indigenous to Michigan. I would hope that others would be honest and actually send pics of the Black & Yellow Argiopes they have actually found in Michigan, but I cannot make any guarantees.
I would also like to thank all of those listed below for their kindness in sending me these pics. If by any chance, you have sent me one of the following pics and you do not wish me to use it, or if any information is wrong, please email me and let me know.
BLACK & YELLOW ARGIOPES....
Thomas - Watervliet, Mi.
Jason - Richfield Twp, Mi.
Bonnie - Bay City, Mi.
Chris - Ionia, Mi.
Heather - Plainwell, Mi.
Please understand that the Black & Yellow Argiope Spiders in this section may or may not be indigenous to Michigan. I would hope that others would be honest and actually send pics of the Black & Yellow Argiopes they have actually found in Michigan, but I cannot make any guarantees.
I would also like to thank all of those listed below for their kindness in sending me these pics. If by any chance, you have sent me one of the following pics and you do not wish me to use it, or if any information is wrong, please email me and let me know.
BLACK & YELLOW ARGIOPES....
Thomas - Watervliet, Mi.
Jason - Richfield Twp, Mi.
Bonnie - Bay City, Mi.
Chris - Ionia, Mi.
Heather - Plainwell, Mi.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)