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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Chelicerates (Chelicerata) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Spiders (Araneae) » True Spiders (Araneomorphae) » Entelegynae » Hacklemesh Weavers (Amaurobiidae) » Amaurobius » Amaurobius ferox
Photo#1254815
Large black spider - Amaurobius ferox
Copyright © 2016 wcleung

Large black spider - Amaurobius ferox
Waterloo, Southern Ontario, Ontario, Canada
July 9, 2016
Size: 1 inch including legs
It was by the outside of the house, near a crevice. It was rubbing the two hind legs for a long time.

Images of this individual: tag all
Large black spider - Amaurobius ferox Large black spider - Amaurobius ferox
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Contributed by wcleung on 10 July, 2016 - 1:13am
Last updated 15 July, 2016 - 10:26pm

Moved
Moved from Spiders.
… Laura P., 15 July, 2016 - 10:26pm login or register to post comments

A
cribellate spider carding or combing silk. Probably an Amaurobiid.
The spider is using its calamistrum to pull the silk out and bunch it up. It is used to capture prey and also added protection for the spider when molting and egg laying.
… Jeff Hollenbeck, 10 July, 2016 - 2:28pm login or register to post comments

 
Many thanks!
For both the ID and the interesting biology!
… wcleung, 10 July, 2016 - 5:22pm login or register to post comments

 
You
are welcome.
Should also mention in this instance it is for prey capture. The spider is thin. Had it been preparing to molt or construct an egg sac, the entrance to the retreat (to the right of spider) would likely be sealed with cribellate webbing, but that varies between individuals and species.
… Jeff Hollenbeck, 15 July, 2016 - 11:51pm login or register to post comments

 
Nice to know.
Thank you.
… wcleung, 18 July, 2016 - 8:19pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Lynette Elliott, 10 July, 2016 - 9:00am login or register to post comments

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