American Nursery Web Spider
Love & Survival: The Sweet Strategy of Nursery Web Spiders
Spiders may not be everyone's favourite, but the American Nursery Web Spider Pisaurina mira is definitely one of the coolest arachnids out there! With incredible hunting skills, unique parenting habits, and surprising mating behaviours, this spider is anything but ordinary.
These spiders come in different colours, some are shades of brown, while others are black. The brown ones often have a light tan body with a bold brown stripe running down the middle, while black individuals sport thick cream markings along their sides. Their colouring helps them blend into their environment, making them excellent at staying hidden.
Unlike typical web-building spiders, Nursery Web Spiders don’t rely on webs to catch prey. Instead, they wander through shrubs and weeds in search of insects like gnats and mosquitoes. As ambush predators, they sit and wait patiently until prey comes close, then snatch it up using their powerful pincers.
One of the strangest facts about these spiders is their unusual mating behaviour. Many female spiders are known to eat their mates after reproduction, but male Nursery Web Spiders have found a way to avoid becoming lunch. They tie up the female’s legs with silk before mating, preventing her from attacking. Talk about a risky love life!
Before mating, males often attempt to impress females by offering a "nuptial gift", usually a wrapped-up insect. If the female accepts, mating can take place. However, some females are uninterested and will chase the males away. Interestingly, after mating, the male often takes his gift back!
When it comes to raising young, Nursery Web Spiders are surprisingly dedicated. The female carries her eggs in a silk sac and, when they’re ready to hatch, she builds a protective nursery web by gathering leaves. This special shelter keeps the spiderlings safe until they’ve completed their first moult, after which they venture out on their own.
These spiders are commonly found in Ontario, usually hidden among low shrubs and tall weeds where they can stay camouflaged. If you ever take a walk outdoors, keep an eye out, you might just spot one of these clever little hunters.
The Nursery Web Spider is truly an incredible creature, showing just how creative and resourceful nature can be. Whether it's their sneaky hunting tactics, protective parenting, or unusual courtship rituals, there’s always something surprising about these eight-legged wonders.