Caring for Spiders (Araneae): A Very General Overview
name:
Araneae: from Latin aranea "spider" (Well, that makes sense, eh?)
perhaps related to Greek ἀράχνη (arákhnē)
Peucetia viridans (adult female):
This discussion is meant to be a brief overview of some of the spiders that I cared for as adults or reared. I have gone into further detail in my article specifically on
Salticidae in the Rearing Forum. Here I simply list a few of the species that I have cared for and include some photo documentation for each species. A few links to VIDEOS are also included within the text.
I begin with a few tips on
Finding, Housing, and Feeding Spiders,
and then a short description of my experience with these species:
Oxyopes salticus
Peucetia viridans
Argiope aurantia
Lycosidae: Rabidosa rabida and Schizocosa
Philodromus
Mecaphesa
Scytodes: S. atlacoya and S. univittata
Leucauge argyrobapta,
and I
conclude with a few words followed by references and links to some interesting articles for further reading.
Agriope aurantia (adult female):
Schizocosa (adult female):
FINDING, HOUSING, and FEEDING SPIDERS
Some of the spiders that I collected were found running along the ground or hidden deep in leaf litter. Others were in trees or shrubs, while still others I found on flowers and stems. I do on occasion find spiders on man-made structures, such as on walls or benches or even inside buildings.
This Rabidosa rabida, whom I did not disturb, is in dry grass with her egg sac in tow:
And this one, also undisturbed, is seen walking along the path:
Oxyopes salticus on flower:
I collected various spiders that I either wanted to observe or to rear and brought them home to house them. Depending on the species, I used enclosure options such as mesh butterfly habitats, terraria, critter keepers, reptile cubes, or (for very small spiders) 32-ounce plastic storage jars with air holes that I made with push pins. (For more details on housing and feeding, please see my article on
Rearing Salticidae.) Note: When using plastic storage jars, I always added brown coffee filters to serve as resting places and hiding places for the spiders and to prevent falls. With some species, I included curled leaves, as well, inside the storage containers.
spider housing options (plastic jars, reptile cubes, critter keepers, terraria, mesh butterfly habitats):
To feed my spiders, I use Drosophila hydei (vinegar flies), Lucilia flies (Calliphoridae), mealworms of various sizes, small Orthoptera, and moths. I include food for the prey in each cage, consisting of fresh apple slices, carrot, squash, and romaine lettuce, along with water sponges to provide a safe way for both spiders and prey to drink.
I believe that most spiders likely nectar, and I often observe my spiders on the apple slices that I provide in each enclosure.
Oxyopes salticus female in captivity, feeding on vinegar fly:
OXYOPES SALTICUS (Araneae: Oxyopidae)
name:
Oxyopes (Greek) = ὀξύς (oxús, "sharp") + ὤψ (ṓps, "eye"), sharp-eyed
salticus (Latin) saltare = dance, jump, leap
Oxyopes salticus are small members of the Oxyopidae family with spiny legs and, of course, cute eyes.
This handsome Oxyopes salticus was on a leaf, but I most often find them in grass, often hopping from blade to blade:
Gravid female:
Beginning in the first week of February 2024, I picked up and adopted several young Oxyopes salticus spiders, raised them to adult, and then raised a F1 generation from the eggs.
I kept these small spiders in 8"x8"x8" reptile cubes, modified to close up gaps. I fed them Drosophila hydei flies and kept apple slices and water sponges in the cages so that the flies could feed and remain healthy.
ADULTS
This gravid female is munching on a Drosophila hydei:
Adult female munching on a Drosophila hydei:
The adult males have very pronounced pedipalps. In proper lighting you will note that they are gilded in fine gold.
MOMS and EGGS and EGG SACS
It did not take long to get several moms on egg sacs.
Oxyopes salticus Moms on egg sacs:
This is a close-up of an Oxyopes salticus egg sac:
By early May, I had plenty of little babies to raise.
Oxyopes salticus babies:
These are beautiful spiders and very easy to rear. If you want to rear with a few pairs, I highly recommend using large mesh butterfly habitats.
PEUCETIA VIRIDANS (Araneae: Oxyopidae)
name:
Peucetia (??). My guess is that maybe the spider's name is related to the Greek peúkē meaning "pine" (perhaps due to the spiny legs ?)
viridans (Latin) vĭrĭdis = green
These large Oxyopidae family spiders are generally quite abundant in my area, but were mysteriously absent in 2024 when I found only three during the entire season. They can be found on a variety of plants and flowers, and in my area I most frequently see them on Cnidoscolus texanus (Euphorbiaceae).
Peucetia viridans spiders mate in late summer and lay eggs in early fall, with the young spiderlings overwintering (Whitcomb et al., 1966).
Peucetia viridans spiderlings in a local park:
Peucetia viridans adult female on egg sac in a local park:
I did not rear this species but rather only raised a couple of subadults to adult and released, and I am also overwintering a female on an egg sac. (The eggs are apparently not viable.) I keep Peucetia viridans individuals in large mesh butterfly habitats and feed them Lucilia flies, moths, small mealworms, and I also supply Drosophila hydei. I keep apple slices, carrots, and a water sponge in each cage for the prey to eat. Additionally, I provide daily light misting for the spiders and prey.
This is one of two female Peucetia viridans that I picked up as subadults:
Shortly after I adopted the spider above, she moulted to full adult.
Peucetia viridans moulting to adult:
Peucetia viridans exuvia:
Very short
VIDEO of Peucetia viridans during the moulting process.
What was intriguing to me is that the Peucetia viridans ate the exuvia. With all the other spiders I have raised, I had never seen another spider eat the exuvia, as is common with my insects.
Below are three different females on egg sacs:
Peucetia viridans on Egg Sac:
Peucetia viridans on Egg Sac:
Peucetia viridans on Egg Sac:
This Peucetia viridans on her egg sac is munching on a moth:
I had specifically wanted to rear this species, but they were strangely absent this season in my area. This is the first year that they have not occurred locally. I do not know of a reason for their sudden absence.
ARGIOPE AURANTIA (Araneae: Araneidae)
name:
Argiope (Greek: Αργιόπη = "silver-faced)
aurantia (Latin: aurant- = "gilded")
A beautiful Argiope aurantia on stabilimentum with dew at a local park:
I did not rear Argiope aurantia, but rather only kept a few adult females for short periods of time to observe them. Since I was not able to find an adult male, I released my females in hope that they would have better luck.
Argiope aurantia egg sac on Opuntia and on juniper:
HOUSING and WEBS
For keeping an Argiope aurantia, I recommend using a 48"x24"x24" butterfly habitat with potted plants inside for either a single spider or a pair. Since I was only keeping mine for a short time, I used 30"x18"x18" cages. These were large enough for the spiders to build webs inside, but would not have sufficed for keeping the spiders for more than a few weeks at a time.
The most amazing thing I observed in Argiope spiders was watching them weave their nests. In the wild, of course, the process is considerably more intricate. In captivity, the spider would first attach the anchor lines and then begin spiraling to create the interior and finally the stabilimentum. I was not able to get videos or watch too closely without disturbing the spiders, so I only watched from a distance.
Particularly fascinating is watching the silk being extruded through the spinnerets. There is a wealth of literature on how spiders make webs (I've included just a few articles in the Further Reading section below).
Argiope aurantia releasing silk through spinnerets:
I supplied prey (mostly mealworms and a few Lucilia flies and moths) and did my best to ensure that the prey was attached to the web. Mealworms were easiest as they can be gently tossed upon the stickier parts of the web.
Argiope aurantia with mealworm in web:
Two of my adult females:
WRAPPING PREY
Robert Harwood (1974) defines three techniques for wrapping prey trapped in the web of the Argiope aurantia. The most common method, used with Orthoptera, is described as "throwing" in which the spider spreads a wide sheet of silk over the prey and attaches the silk blanket to the web. The second method is described as "rotational swathing" in which the spider rotates the prey while distributing silk evenly over the body. A final method described is "walking swath" in which the spider walks around and over the prey while attaching silk. A single method may be used, or a combination of techniques may be applied (Harwood, 1974).
Since I only kept Argiope aurantia for a short time and relatively late in the season, I was using only mealworms for prey and I only observed the technique of "rotational swathing."
In all cases, once the spider became aware of a mealworm in the web (I would gently toss them until they stuck), the spider began rocking until the mealworm was securely attached. The spider turned and faced the prey, approached the prey, and then began wrapping.
Argiope aurantia immobilising prey:
Adult female Argiope aurantia wrapping mealworm prey:
I watched with fascination as the spider continued to release silk from her spinnerets to swath the prey:
VIDEOS:
VIDEO of Argiope aurantia wrapping prey
VIDEO close-up of Argiope aurantia rocking the web and then attacking prey
VIDEO of Argiope aurantia wrapping prey
VIDEO of Argiope aurantia wrapping prey
short VIDEO of Argiope aurantia wrapping prey
VIDEO of Argiope aurantia wrapping prey with short rests
I haven't tried rearing these guys yet, but I would certainly recommend using the largest cage you can provide, or, if your house is safe, allowing them a corner in your home.
LYCOSIDAE
name:
Lycosidae (Greek) lykos (Λύκος) = wolf
In my area of central Texas, it is common to find various Lycosidae species running along the ground, especially visible at night.
While I cared for several Lycosidae species and then released them, I only documented two immature Rabidosa rabida and two immature Schizocosa, all female, raised to adult and released.
For these spiders, I used different habitat styles. Each individual was housed in a terrarium or large critter keeper with soil / coconut fibre substrate, leaf litter, and sticks. They were fed live mealworms and very small crickets. I provided water sponges and food for the prey and also daily light misting.
Critter Keeper for individual Lycosidae species:
RABIDOSA RABIDA (Araneae: Lycosidae)
name:
Rabidosa (Latin) rabidus = raving, furious, mad
I have kept individual Rabidosa rabida a few times over the years, but only as adults or subadults raised to adult and released. I have not reared this species.
This is one of the Rabidosa rabida spiders that I picked up as a subadult on January 28, 2024, and raised to adult and released:
and another, picked up in early February, 2024:
Since I only had females, I released the adults into the garden so that they could hopefully find mates.
adult Rabidosa rabida:
Here's a close-up of Rabidosa rabida eggs:
SCHIZOCOSA (Araneae: Lycosidae)
name:
schiz (Greek) = split
cosa = ?? (no clue) (in Spanish, "cosa" is "thing" – "split thing"? I think not.)
apparently (according to various online sources) in reference to the " 'split T formation', referring to the epigynum of the genus"
I picked up a few immature Schizocosa to raise to adults and release. As with Rabidosa rabida, I kept each individual in a critter keeper.
I found this juvenile Schizocosa in early February 2024:
ADULTS
Images of adult Schizcosa:
This female below is on an infertile egg sac. She had not mated at this point. I released her afterward since I did not have a male for her.
Schizocosa on egg sac:
Lycosidae are very interesting spiders and easy to keep since they can be housed in terraria with appropriate substrate (coconut fibre / organic soil,sand mixture). Be sure to keep only one spider per enclosure.
PHILODROMUS (Araneae: Philodromidae)
name:
Philo (Greek) φίλο = love
+
dromus (Greek) δρόμος = running, racing
I can attest to the "loving running" generic name of these running crab spiders: they do indeed charge and I had at least one escape and run away in the house, never to be found.
On a mesquite tree in a local park, I picked up a Philodromus mom on an egg sac and brought them home to rear. The ageing mom stayed with the egg sac until the hatchlings dispersed, and then she died shortly afterward. I raised the spiderlings to adult and released.
I kept these spiders in 32-ounce plastic storage jars with air holes punched created using push pins. The spiders were fed Drosophila hydei and provided with daily light misting.
egg sac in Mesquite tree:
I picked up the egg sac on 04.15.2024 and the first hatchlings appeared on 04.28.2024:
04.28.2024:
05.01.2024:
06.05.2024:
Shortly after the spiderlings dispersed, the Philodromus Mom showed significant signs of ageing and lost a couple of legs. She died a couple of weeks later.
The series below follows one individual from spiderling to adult:
05.01.2024:
05.10.2024:
06.03.2024:
06.20.2024:
07.16.2024:
08.22.2024 (Adult):
08.23.2024 (Adult, released):
Phidodromus exuvia:
Philodromus are interesting spiders who deserve to be studied further. I rarely find these in my area.
MECAPHESA (Araneae: Thomisidae)
name meaning (?) I have no clue.
Even though I frequently find Mecaphesa species in my area, I have never done a serious job of rearing these beautiful crab spiders. This season I found an egg sac, reared a few to adult, and released them into the garden.
This Mecaphesa had her penultimate moult on 09.22.2024 and is pictured here (with exuvia) five days later:
Here she is as a full adult the following month:
And here she is for her release onto matching Ageratina havanensis blossoms in my garden on 10.30.2024:
SCYTODES (Araneae: Scytodidae)
names:
Scytodes (Greek) σκυτωδης (skutodes) = “leather-like"
univittata (Latin) = one-striped
Atlacoya = "sad waters", Aztec goddess of drought and barren land
Scytodes are also spiders that I have kept in different years only as subadults to raise and release and as adults. I did not rear this species. These spiders are best kept in terraria or very large critter keepers with coconut fibre / organic soil/sand substrate and plenty of leaf litter and bark. Similar to Lycosidae, I fed these spiders mealworms and very small crickets.
I found Scytodes atlacoya and Scytodes univittata in moist rotten wood and leaf litter at local parks. I have adopted just a few to raise and care for and then release.
Scytodes atlacoya Mom with egg sac at a local park:
A Scytodes univittata that I adopted:
And another adopted Scytodes found in in leaf litter:
The article “Spitting Spiders - Nature’s Strangest Hunters" (2017) describes how spiders of this genus eject nets of sticky silk over their prey, which congeals on contact. I didn't keep these spiders for long enough to observe that and I know very little about them. They are exceptionally beautiful, however, and would be quite interesting to study.
One of my Scytodes atlacoya females, released into garden:
LEUCAUGE ARGYROBAPTA (Araneae:Tetragnathidae)
name:
Leucauge (Greek) Λευκά (Leuká) = white
argyrobapta (Greek) agryo Ἀργυρός = silver; bapt βάπτω = dip (dipped in silver!)
Leucauge argyrobapta is also not a species that I reared, I simply overwintered this individual and a couple of others but wanted to include her because of her spectacular beauty.
adult female Leucauge argyrobapta:
Conclusion
In summary, I think that many species of spiders can be cared for in captivity at least for short periods of time and some species are fairly easy to rear from eggs. It's good to have a variety of habitat styles on hand as well as access to acceptable foods. I find that spiders in general are intriguing to observe and they appear to be quite intelligent animals that we humans should always learn more about. I wish for readers every success in rearing whichever species enchant you and capture your heart.
Rabidosa rabida
Argiope aurantia:
References
Harwood, R. H. (1974). Predatory Behavior of Argiope aurantia (Lucas). The American Midland Naturalist, 91(1), 130–139. https://doi.org/10.2307/2424516
“Spitting Spiders - Nature’s Strangest Hunters.” Imb.uq.edu.au, 20 Nov. 2017, imb.uq.edu.au/article/2017/11/spitting-spiders-natures-strangest-hunters.
Whitcomb WH, Hite M, Eason R. 1966. Life history of the green lynx spider, Peucetia viridans (Araneida: Oxyopidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 39: 259-267
Further Reading
MAKING WEBS:
Ault, Alicia. “Ask Smithsonian: How Do Spiders Make Their Webs?” Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Dec. 2015, www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/ask-smithsonian-how-do-spiders-make-webs-180957426/.
Hendry, Lisa. “What Are Spider Webs Made Of? And How Do They Spin Them?” www.nhm.ac.uk, www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-are-spider-webs-made-of.html.
Simpson, Julie H. & de Bivort, Benjamin L. Orb weavers: Patterns in the movement sequences of spider web construction, Current Biology, Volume 31, Issue 22, 2021,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.09.066.
SPIDER SILK:
Eisoldt, Lukas, Smith, Andrew & Scheibel, Thomas. Decoding the secrets of spider silk,
Materials Today, Volume 14, Issue 3, 2011, Pages 80-86, ISSN 1369-7021,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1369-7021(11)70057-8.
Mariano-Martins, Pedro, et al. “Evolution of Spiders and Silk Spinning: Mini Review of the Morphology, Evolution, and Development of Spiders’ Spinnerets.” Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, vol. 8, 22 May 2020, https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2020.00109.
Meadows R (2014) How Spiders Spin Silk. PLoS Biol 12(8): e1001922, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1001922
Römer, L., & Scheibel, T. (2008). The elaborate structure of spider silk: structure and function of a natural high performance fiber. Prion, 2(4), 154–161, https://doi.org/10.4161/pri.2.4.7490
Wessel, Linda. “Sticky Science: The Evolution of Spider Webs.” Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2018, www.scientificamerican.com/article/sticky-science-the-evolution-of-spider-webs/.
SPIDER VENOM:
Cooper, Allen M., et al. “The Strategic Use of Venom by Spiders.” Evolution of Venomous Animals and Their Toxins, 2015, pp. 1–18, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6727-0_13-1.
Gatchoff, L., & Stein, L. R. (2021). Venom and Social Behavior: The Potential of Using Spiders to Evaluate the Evolution of Sociality under High Risk. Toxins, 13(6), 388. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13060388
Herzig, Volker, King, Glenn. F., & Undheim, Eivind A.B.
Can we resolve the taxonomic bias in spider venom research?,
Toxicon: X, Volume 1, 2019, 100005, ISSN 2590-1710,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxcx.2018.100005.
Kuhn-Nentwig, Lucia, Stöcklin, Reto, & Wolfgang Nentwig Wolfgang.
Venom Composition and Strategies in Spiders: Is Everything Possible? Advances in Insect Physiology, Academic Press, Volume 40, 2011, Pages 1-86,
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-387668-3.00001-5.
Langenegger, N., Nentwig, W., & Kuhn-Nentwig, L. (2019). Spider Venom: Components, Modes of Action, and Novel Strategies in Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses. Toxins, 11(10), 611. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins11100611
Lüddecke, T., Herzig, V., von Reumont, B.M. and Vilcinskas, A. (2022), The biology and evolution of spider venoms. Biol Rev, 97: 163-178. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12793
Sannaningaiah, D., Subbaiah, G. K., & Kempaiah, K. (2014). Pharmacology of spider venom toxins. Toxin Reviews, 33(4), 206–220. https://doi.org/10.3109/15569543.2014.954134
.