Spider

[Maydup]

There's a lighht whispy spider in the top corner of our room and its been there for weeks. I saw it there before I put the Christmas Cards up in December and its still there.

It hasn't moved but I know its still alive as I gave it a little nudge last week with the duster. Didn't have the heart to move it on.

So.....is that all it does or is it hibernating? Perhaps it potters about once we've left the room? And what does it live on? There are no bugs or insects around at this time of year.

[rojash]

It's probably an empty skin

[Maydup]

No, its definitely alive.

[wildwood]

I am afraid that's all they do. Being insects they can go without food for a long time. It is surprising how many minute bugs are around though. It has taken up residence inside because it is warmer and there are likely to be more active prey.

Spiders don't as a rule have a hobby or an exercise regime, they just sit there patiently waiting to catch something. Have you given it a name yet? I think spider are fascinating creatures in how they can spin such an integrate web without any 'how to spin a web' book or anything.

[wildwood]

ok, so they are not strictly insect because they have 8 legs....... arachnids then.

[Prudie]

I detest spiders and usually exterminate but I've got one like you, the wispy daddy long-legs type, that I saw today in the dining room and it's been there since before Xmas. I didn't have the heart to hoover it up. I think they can go weeks without food.

[rojash]

"Spiders don't as a rule have a hobby or an exercise regime"
lol

[jomifl]

Is it this one?
http://moblog.net/med...phro/house-spider.jpg

[Maydup]

Yep that's his third cousin jom.

I've decided this one is my inspiration to get moving before I find myself in a similar trance!

[jomifl]

They seem to live mostly in the south of England, my parents in Essex never had them but on the South coast we had plenty and here in France they move in as soon as decorating is finished. We have about 5 or 6 per room. They are buggers to catch.

[owdhamer]

T___t it

[FredPuli43]

The link from jomifl shows one of the pholcoides spiders, 'daddy long legs spiders'. The common ones found in Britain have a curious habit. If you blow on them or move near them they go ito a frenzy of whirring around on their webs. This is presumably a defence mechanism but. whatever it is, they certainly put effort into it and become a blur doing it.