scabies.myfreeforum.org

balam · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:18 am Post subject: Misumenoides formosipes

Here is this gorgeous spider Smile

I'm thinking it's a Misumenoides formosipes, but I'm trying to work out a key of some sort :p

Its about 1 1/2" from tip of left leg I, to the tip of right leg I.

Very calm and the dragline silk it produces is wicked strong Very Happy

She was living in the spider room for two days (my wife's orchid was there...so :hd: ) Smile

Hasn't taken food though, it's gotten cold outside, anybody knows if they can take the 50 F drops at night?

Thanks,
_________________
God does not play at dice AE

AGTrauger · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 280 Location: Long Beach

No idea but she's very pretty. Cool markings!

Krawll · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject:

Very cool spider and it's also very cool that she let you handle her like that .

The name you mentioned didn't sound familiar at all to me so i googled it a bit .

My best guess if you want her to feed would be to house her in a container and use fake flowers that are very similar to the ones in what you called ( The spider room ) Seems like those spiders like to hise inside flowers and snatch anything that lands on it .

Also seems they are relatives to crab spiders so guessing any knowledge you might have about crabs could help you.

I've also read that there are two different types of hunting techniques for that Genus. Ambushers and Runners. Knowing whether yours in one or the other will definatly help you as well.

About the temperature drop, i think any spider will be affected by big temperature drops witch is why i suggested to house her and keep her inside the house at a more suitable and constant temperature.

The last thing that could help is Knowing whether she is a day spider or a night spider. Looking at the colors , my guess would be that she hunts during the day, only a guess though. So maybe placing her container somewhere close to a good light source , at least when feeding her.

I know Argiopes sp. ( Garden orb weavers) will not build their webs in a dark place and will not try to hunt if it's dark eighter. Thats how i found out about the importance of knowing whether your spider lives during the day or night.

DOn't know if any of that will help. :-) hope it does

good luck with her

Krawll

Krawll · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject:

Forgot to mention that since they hide inside flowers to hunt mostly, their favored food would probably be Leaf Hoppers, flies or small bees.

If she realy does refuse crickets, maybe trying to feed her something else could help too. Or maybe trying to injure the crickets before giving it to her could help too.

My little wolfie has only been feeding on pre-injured crickets eversince i captured her. She's just like that ::lol::. Maybe yours is also a softy. Razz