Arachnid Insights: A Deep Dive into Spider Ecology and Behavior Quiz

1. What spider does not build a shelter, hunts over a limited territory, basks in the sun, and is covered with long hair?

Brown Recluse

Black Widow

Daddy Longlegs

Wolf Spider

2. Despite its reputation, this spider often attempts to escape rather than bite, unless it is guarding an egg mass. Males do not bite. After mating, the female often eats the male, earning the name 'widow.'

Widow Spider

Tarantula

Brown Recluse Spider

Jumping Spider

The correct answer is Black Widow Spider. This spider is known for its distinctive black color and red hourglass mark on the female's abdomen. Despite its reputation, it often tries to escape instead of biting, unless it is protecting its egg mass. Males do not bite, and sometimes get eaten by the females after mating, leading to the name 'widow.'

Explanation

The correct answer is Black Widow Spider. This spider is known for its distinctive black color and red hourglass mark on the female's abdomen. Despite its reputation, it often tries to escape instead of biting, unless it is protecting its egg mass. Males do not bite, and sometimes get eaten by the females after mating, leading to the name 'widow.'

3. What is the description of Daddy-long-legs?

Insects with wings that are commonly found in gardens.

Creature with a small body and very long, thin legs, often referring to harvestmen, cellar spiders, or crane flies.

A species of spiders that are known for hunting prey in the dark.

Members of the family Araneae that have eight eyes and build intricate webs to catch their prey.

Daddy-long-legs are not spiders or insects. They are part of the family Phalangiidae and have distinct features as described in the correct answer.

Explanation

Daddy-long-legs are not spiders or insects. They are part of the family Phalangiidae and have distinct features as described in the correct answer.

4. What family does the Funnel Web Spider belong to?

Araneidae

Atracidae

Lycosidae

Theridiidae

The Funnel Web Spider belongs to the family Agelenidae, not Araneidae (orb-weaver spiders), Theridiidae (cobweb spiders), or Lycosidae (wolf spiders).

Explanation

The Funnel Web Spider belongs to the family Agelenidae, not Araneidae (orb-weaver spiders), Theridiidae (cobweb spiders), or Lycosidae (wolf spiders).

5. What is the size and color description of the female spider in the question?

Male 1/8" (4 mm), dark brown cephalothorax, legs with gray bands, green abdomen with black spots.

Female 7/8-1" (22-25 mm), dark gray cephalothorax with red spots, brown legs, green abdomen with yellow spots.

Male 1/8" (4 mm), pale gray cephalothorax, dark legs with tufts of black hair, brownish green abdomen.

The correct answer provides the specific size measurements and color descriptions of the female spider described in the question. The incorrect answers either provide inaccurate size measurements, incorrect color descriptions, or mix up the details of the male spider.

Explanation

The correct answer provides the specific size measurements and color descriptions of the female spider described in the question. The incorrect answers either provide inaccurate size measurements, incorrect color descriptions, or mix up the details of the male spider.

6. What family does the Tarantula belong to and what are some of its physical characteristics?

Lycosidae

Theraphosidae

Salticidae

Araneidae

The correct answer provides the accurate information regarding the family Tarantula belongs to and its physical characteristics based on the given context.

Explanation

The correct answer provides the accurate information regarding the family Tarantula belongs to and its physical characteristics based on the given context.

7. What family does the Banded Garden Spider belong to?

Araneidae spider family

Jumping spider family (family Salticidae)

Wolf spider family (family Lycosidae)

Tarantula family (family Theraphosidae)

The Banded Garden Spider belongs to the orb weaver family, not the jumping spider, wolf spider, or tarantula family.

Explanation

The Banded Garden Spider belongs to the orb weaver family, not the jumping spider, wolf spider, or tarantula family.

8. Which common species enters houses, hunting on windowsills and sashes?

Tarantula

Brown Recluse Spider

Tegenaria domestica

Daddy Long Legs

The correct answer is the Black Widow Spider, as it matches the description provided in the question.

Explanation

The correct answer is the Black Widow Spider, as it matches the description provided in the question.