Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources • Oklahoma State University

Spiders along with insects and their close relativesaremembersoftheanimalphylumArthropoda.Spidersasa group are further separated and placed in the scientific ‘Class’ Arachnida (along with ticks, mites, scorpions, andsimilaranimalsthathave2majorbodyregions,8legs,andnoantennaeorwings). Throughoutrecordedhistoryspidershavebeenregardedgenerallyascreeping,crawling,loathsome,andvenomousbeasts. Folklore, ignorance, superstition, and the bizarreappearanceofthespidersthemselveshavecontributedtotheseimpressions. Folklorewouldhavesomebelieve thatall spidersarevenomous.Thefactsarethat,exceptfortwoverysmallgroups(families),allspidersdopossessvenomglandswhichvoidthroughsmall holesnear the tipsof their fangs.However,mostspidersdonotbitehumans,andwithafewexceptions,spidervenomsarenotharmfultohumansorothermammals.Spidersareimportantpredatorswhichhelpkeepinsectandsomeotherarthropodpestpopulationsincheck.Thisbene-ficial role far outweighs the hazard posed by the few spiders thatoccasionallybitehumans. Somepeoplehaveaphobiaofspiders(arachnophobia).Someofthesefearsofspidersarebecausepeoplebelievetheyareaggressiveandwillattackhumanswithlittleornoprovocation.Nothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruth.Onlyonespiderintheworldisconsideredaggressive—thefunnel-webspiderofAustralia,Atrax robustus,whichreputedlywillattackwithout provocation. No other spider is overly aggressiveunlesscornered,injured,orotherwiseoverlyprovoked.ItistruethatmanyNorthAmericanspiderswill rushovertheirwebstoinvestigateanydisturbance.Thisisanaturalhuntingreaction,asmanyspeciesofspidersemploywebstoentrapotheranimalsforfood. Itisafalseimpressionthatthebitesofknowndangerousspidersalwayscauseaveryseriousconditionorevendeath.Thetruthisthatfatalitiesfromspiderbitesarerare,andtheconsequencesofthebitemayrangefromtrivialtosevere.Theseverityofthereactiontospidervenomisdictatedbymanyfactors.Theamountofvenominjectedmayvaryfromalmostnonetoafulldose,dependingonthesiteofthebite,thelengthoftimethefangsareinthetissues,andthequantityofvenominjected.Also,thereactionofdifferentindividualstothesametypeandamountofvenommayvarywidely,sinceage,generalstateofthevictim’shealth,anddifferencesingeneticswouldlikelydeterminetheseverityofreaction.

Figure 1. Brown recluse spider.

RichardGranthamEntomologist

RussellWrightProfessorofEntomology

InOklahoma,onlytwospiders,thebrownrecluseandblackwidow,areconsidereddangeroustopeople.However,tarantulas, jumpingspiders,wolf spiders,gardenspiders,andnumerousotherspeciesfoundintheStatearefrequentlymistakenforvenomousspiders.Thesespidersmaybefor-midable,scaryorrepulsivetosome,buttomostpeopletheirbiteislessharmfulthanabeesting.

Brown Recluse (Fiddleback) (Loxosceles reclusa) Thebrownreclusespider(Figure1),alsoknownasthebrown spider or fiddleback spider, is a soft bodied, secre-tivespeciesthatislighttantodarkbrownincolor.Theadultspiderisabouthalfaninchinlengthandhaslong,delicatelegswhicharecoveredwithshort,darkhairs.Distinguish-ingcharacteristicsarethepresenceofthreepairsofeyesarrangedinasemicircleontheforepartofthehead,aviolin-shapeddarkmarkingimmediatelybehindthesemicircleofeyes(Figure2)(withtheneckoftheviolinpointingtowardsthebulbousabdomen),andthecharacteristicallylonglegs.

EPP-7301

OklahomaCooperativeExtensionFactSheetsarealsoavailableonourwebsiteat:

http://osufacts.okstate.edu

Spiders: Brown Recluse, Black Widow, and Other Common Spiders

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

7301-37301-2

Figure 3. Black widow spider.

Figure 4. Tarantula. Theimmaturestagescloselyresembletheadultsexceptforsizeandoftenaslightlylightercolor.

Life Cycle and Habits The eggs are deposited in off-white silken cases insheltered,darkareaswherethespiderslive.Thecasesareapproximatelyone-quartertoone-thirdofaninchindiameter.Inthesummer,spiderlingsemergefromeggcasesin24-36days.Fortyormorespiderlingsdevelopfromeacheggcase.However,beforeleavingtheeggcasethespiderlingsmoltonceandthenabandontheeggcase.Developmentisrelativelyslow and is generally influenced by weather conditions and theavailabilityoffood.However,withadequatefoodandmildtemperatures,thebrownreclusespidercanreachmaturityin10-12months.Thespidersarecapableofsurvivingforlongperiodsoftimewithoutfoodorwater.Femalespidersmaylive from one to two years, but some have reached four to five years. During her life one to five egg sacs are produced.

Habitat Thespiderismostactiveatnightwhenitcomesoutinsearchoffood.Duringtheday,itrestsinquiet,undisturbedplaces.Inhomes,spidersmaybefoundinbathrooms,bed-rooms,closets,basements,cellars,andattics,aswellasunderfurniture.Spidersareoftenfoundhidinginoldclothes,inshoes,behindpictures,instorageboxes,instacksofpaper,ontheundersidesoftablesandchairs,behindbaseboardsand floor facings, or in corners and crevices. Spiders also liveoutdoorsunderrocksandbark,andtheyarefrequentlyfoundinbarns,storagesheds,andgarages.Thepresenceofshedskinsinandaroundresidencesmaybeindicativeofinfestations.

Effects of the Bite Thebrownrecluseisnotaggressiveandnormallybitesonlywhenpressureisappliedtoit.Peopleareoftenbittenwhen they put on clothing or shoes in which a spider ishiding,whentheyrolloveronaspiderinbed,orwhentheycleanastorageareathatthespiderisinhabiting.Individualsreactdifferentlytothebite;somepeoplemaynotbeawareofthebitefortwoorthreehours,whileothersmayhaveanimmediatepainfulreaction.Astingingsensationisusuallyfollowedbyintensepain.Withineighthours,asmallpuss-filled blister usually rises, and a large area around the bite

becomesredandswollen.Thevictimmaybecomerestlessand feverish and have difficulty in sleeping. The local pain is frequentlyquiteintense,andtheskinareasurroundingthebiteremainsredandhardtothetouchforsometime.Thetissueaffectedlocallybythecytotoxicvenomiskilledandgradually sloughs away, exposing the underlying muscle.Skingraftsareoftennecessarytorepairseveredamage. Healing takesplaceslowlyandmay takesix toeightweeks.Withoutpromptmedicalattentiontheendresultofabitecanbeasunkenscar,rangingfromthesizeofapennytoahalf-dollar.Incaseofabite,thevictimshouldconsultaphysicianimmediately,and,ifpossible,thespiderwhichcaused the bite should be captured for positive identifica-tion. As yet, specific antivenom is not available for treatment; therefore,bothlocalandsystemicreactionshavebeentreatedsymptomatically. Corticosteroids are considered specific for combatinghemolysisandothersystemiccomplications,buttheyshouldonlybeadministeredbyaphysician.

Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans) The female black widow spider (Figure 3) is slightlylargerthanthebrownrecluseandisglossyblackincolor.Itisglobularinshapeandneverhairy.Ithaseighteyesarrangedintworows.Theoveralllengthofthefemale(legsextended)isabout11/2inchesandthemaleismuchsmaller,about1inchlong.Themaleusuallyhasthreelightstreaksonhisabdomenbutisrecognizablebyknob-likeappendagesonthefrontofthehead.Thefemalehasslim,glossyblacklegs,butthebestrecognitionmarkisareddishhourglass-shapedspotontheundersideofherglobularabdomen.Thefemalespideristheimportantonetorecognizesincethebiteofthefemalecanpotentiallyresultinseriousmedicalproblems.

Life Cycle Thefemaleblackwidowisnotaggressiveunlesssheisconfined or disturbed. She is more likely to bite when she is guardinganeggsac.Theeggsacisgrayishandpaperyinappearance.Theeggsrequire8to30daystomature.Eacheggsaccontainsfrom25to900eggs(300to400common),andafemalemayconstruct4to9eggcaseseachsummer;however, largenumbersofspidersarenotnormally foundbecausethepopulationiscurtailedbythecannibalismoftheyoung.Thus,only1to12youngnormallysurvivefromeacheggcase.Growthrequires2to3months,duringwhichthemalemolts3to6timesandfemales6to8times.Theolderfemalesusuallydieinsummerorautumnafterlayingtheireggs.

Habitat Thefemaleblackwidownormallyhangs‘belly’upwardandrarelyleavesherweb.Sheisfrequentlyfoundnearhouses(undereaves);aroundtrashcansanddumpsorashpiles;underboxes,lowgrowingshrubs,crates,stones,andwoodpiles;andoutdoorrestrooms.Blackwidowsarealsofoundinrodentburrows,undergroundwatermetercasings,andingasmeterhousings.Coldanddroughtseeminglydriveblackwidowsintobuildings.

Effects of the Bite Theblackwidowisgenerallyconsideredthemostven-omousspidernativetoNorthAmerica.Thebiteofthefemaleinjectsaneurotoxicvenom,whichcommonlygivesrisetoveryseveresymptoms.Thebiteitselfisusuallysimilartoapinprick,butexcruciatingpaincanbeginwithinafewminutesandspreadsfromthepointofthebitetoarms,legs,chest,back,andabdomen.Withinafewhourssymptomssuchaschills, vomiting, difficulty in respiration, profuse perspiration, delirium,partialparalysis,violentabdominalcramps,pains,andspasmsmayresult.Thepaincanbesosevereastoleadtofrequentdiagnosisasappendicitis,colic,orfoodpoison-ing.Reportsindicatethatmortalityfromblackwidowbitesresultsin1%orlessofthecases,withveryyoungorveryoldindividualsatthegreatestrisk.Moretypically,recoveryiscompletein1to5days.Incaseofabitethevictimshouldconsultaphysicianimmediately.

Other Common Spiders

Tarantula The spider known as the tarantula in Oklahoma is amember of the hairy mygalomorph family in the genusAphonopelma.Theselargespidersarebrowntoblack,hairyandmorethan3incheslongwhenfullgrown(Figure4).Thefemalesarelargerthanthemalesandhaveabdomensaboutthesizeofaquarter.Femalesmaylive15to20yearsormoreandusuallymoltatyearlyintervals. Tarantulasarenocturnalhuntingspidersthatspendthedayunderrocks,inabandonedmouseburrows,orinothershelteredareas.Theymaybeseenalongcountyroadsortrailsintheeveningorlateatnight.MaletarantulasaresometimesseeninamajormigrationforafewweeksusuallyaroundJuneandSeptember.Thepurposeofthismigrationisnotknown,butitmayoccurasmalessearchformates.

Tarantulasaresometimeskeptaspetsandsometimesbecomequitetame.Althoughtheycanbehandled,cautionisadvisedsincetheycanquicklybecomedisturbedandpiercethe skin with their chelicerae or fangs. They have venomsacsbuttheirvenomisnotconsideredofmajorconcerntohumans.Tarantulasrequireaconstantsupplyofwaterinaflat dish into which they can lower their mouths. Tarantula food consists of live crickets, mealworms, caterpillars, orotherinsects.Theycangoforseveralweekswithoutfoodandsometimesrefusetoeatbeforemolting.Tarantulascancrawlupglassandescapethroughsmallopenings,sotheymust be kept in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Baldspotsonthetopandrearoftheabdomenarearesultofadefensemechanismintarantulas.Tarantulascanusethehind legstoejectorpropelbarbedhairsfromtheabdomenatapotentialaggressor.Thesehairshavebeenfoundinthenosepadsofdogsandvariousothermammalsthathaveconfrontedtarantulas.Thehairsarenotreportedtoharmhumans.

Jumping Spiders Jumpingspiders,ofthefamilySalticidae,comeinmanysizes,shapes,andcolors.Thesespidersareactivehuntersduringthedayandhavegoodeyesight,relyingprimarilyonmovementtolocateprey.Theystalktheirpreybeforetheyattackinafastleap.Jumpingspidersputoutalineofweb-bingwhentheyjumpandwillsometimesdanglefromthatdraglineafteraleapthatfails. Jumpingspidersareboldandstockyinappearanceandoftenbrightlycolored(Figure5).Theyoftenhaveconspicuousbandsofblackandwhiteontheirbodiesorlegs.Othershavevelvetyredabdomensandsomeevenhavemetalliccolorsonthechelicerae.Theyhaveeighteyeswithonelargepairinthefront. Phidippus audaxisoneofthemostcommonandcon-spicuousofthejumpingspiders.InOklahoma,itusuallyhasaredorwhite irregularspotonthebackoftheabdomen.However,inotherstates,itoftenhasagoldspotontheabdo-menwhichgivesitthecommonnamegoldenjumpingspider.Itcanbefoundaroundtheexteriorofhomes,ingardens,andsometimeswithinhomes. Jumpingspiders,likemostspiders,arenotconsideredhazardoustohumansandarenotlikelytobiteunlesscorneredorhandled.

Figure 2. Eye patern and fiddle markings on the brown recluse spider.

7301-37301-2

Figure 3. Black widow spider.

Figure 4. Tarantula. Theimmaturestagescloselyresembletheadultsexceptforsizeandoftenaslightlylightercolor.

Life Cycle and Habits The eggs are deposited in off-white silken cases insheltered,darkareaswherethespiderslive.Thecasesareapproximatelyone-quartertoone-thirdofaninchindiameter.Inthesummer,spiderlingsemergefromeggcasesin24-36days.Fortyormorespiderlingsdevelopfromeacheggcase.However,beforeleavingtheeggcasethespiderlingsmoltonceandthenabandontheeggcase.Developmentisrelativelyslow and is generally influenced by weather conditions and theavailabilityoffood.However,withadequatefoodandmildtemperatures,thebrownreclusespidercanreachmaturityin10-12months.Thespidersarecapableofsurvivingforlongperiodsoftimewithoutfoodorwater.Femalespidersmaylive from one to two years, but some have reached four to five years. During her life one to five egg sacs are produced.

Habitat Thespiderismostactiveatnightwhenitcomesoutinsearchoffood.Duringtheday,itrestsinquiet,undisturbedplaces.Inhomes,spidersmaybefoundinbathrooms,bed-rooms,closets,basements,cellars,andattics,aswellasunderfurniture.Spidersareoftenfoundhidinginoldclothes,inshoes,behindpictures,instorageboxes,instacksofpaper,ontheundersidesoftablesandchairs,behindbaseboardsand floor facings, or in corners and crevices. Spiders also liveoutdoorsunderrocksandbark,andtheyarefrequentlyfoundinbarns,storagesheds,andgarages.Thepresenceofshedskinsinandaroundresidencesmaybeindicativeofinfestations.

Effects of the Bite Thebrownrecluseisnotaggressiveandnormallybitesonlywhenpressureisappliedtoit.Peopleareoftenbittenwhen they put on clothing or shoes in which a spider ishiding,whentheyrolloveronaspiderinbed,orwhentheycleanastorageareathatthespiderisinhabiting.Individualsreactdifferentlytothebite;somepeoplemaynotbeawareofthebitefortwoorthreehours,whileothersmayhaveanimmediatepainfulreaction.Astingingsensationisusuallyfollowedbyintensepain.Withineighthours,asmallpuss-filled blister usually rises, and a large area around the bite

becomesredandswollen.Thevictimmaybecomerestlessand feverish and have difficulty in sleeping. The local pain is frequentlyquiteintense,andtheskinareasurroundingthebiteremainsredandhardtothetouchforsometime.Thetissueaffectedlocallybythecytotoxicvenomiskilledandgradually sloughs away, exposing the underlying muscle.Skingraftsareoftennecessarytorepairseveredamage. Healing takesplaceslowlyandmay takesix toeightweeks.Withoutpromptmedicalattentiontheendresultofabitecanbeasunkenscar,rangingfromthesizeofapennytoahalf-dollar.Incaseofabite,thevictimshouldconsultaphysicianimmediately,and,ifpossible,thespiderwhichcaused the bite should be captured for positive identifica-tion. As yet, specific antivenom is not available for treatment; therefore,bothlocalandsystemicreactionshavebeentreatedsymptomatically. Corticosteroids are considered specific for combatinghemolysisandothersystemiccomplications,buttheyshouldonlybeadministeredbyaphysician.

Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans) The female black widow spider (Figure 3) is slightlylargerthanthebrownrecluseandisglossyblackincolor.Itisglobularinshapeandneverhairy.Ithaseighteyesarrangedintworows.Theoveralllengthofthefemale(legsextended)isabout11/2inchesandthemaleismuchsmaller,about1inchlong.Themaleusuallyhasthreelightstreaksonhisabdomenbutisrecognizablebyknob-likeappendagesonthefrontofthehead.Thefemalehasslim,glossyblacklegs,butthebestrecognitionmarkisareddishhourglass-shapedspotontheundersideofherglobularabdomen.Thefemalespideristheimportantonetorecognizesincethebiteofthefemalecanpotentiallyresultinseriousmedicalproblems.

Life Cycle Thefemaleblackwidowisnotaggressiveunlesssheisconfined or disturbed. She is more likely to bite when she is guardinganeggsac.Theeggsacisgrayishandpaperyinappearance.Theeggsrequire8to30daystomature.Eacheggsaccontainsfrom25to900eggs(300to400common),andafemalemayconstruct4to9eggcaseseachsummer;however, largenumbersofspidersarenotnormally foundbecausethepopulationiscurtailedbythecannibalismoftheyoung.Thus,only1to12youngnormallysurvivefromeacheggcase.Growthrequires2to3months,duringwhichthemalemolts3to6timesandfemales6to8times.Theolderfemalesusuallydieinsummerorautumnafterlayingtheireggs.

Habitat Thefemaleblackwidownormallyhangs‘belly’upwardandrarelyleavesherweb.Sheisfrequentlyfoundnearhouses(undereaves);aroundtrashcansanddumpsorashpiles;underboxes,lowgrowingshrubs,crates,stones,andwoodpiles;andoutdoorrestrooms.Blackwidowsarealsofoundinrodentburrows,undergroundwatermetercasings,andingasmeterhousings.Coldanddroughtseeminglydriveblackwidowsintobuildings.

Effects of the Bite Theblackwidowisgenerallyconsideredthemostven-omousspidernativetoNorthAmerica.Thebiteofthefemaleinjectsaneurotoxicvenom,whichcommonlygivesrisetoveryseveresymptoms.Thebiteitselfisusuallysimilartoapinprick,butexcruciatingpaincanbeginwithinafewminutesandspreadsfromthepointofthebitetoarms,legs,chest,back,andabdomen.Withinafewhourssymptomssuchaschills, vomiting, difficulty in respiration, profuse perspiration, delirium,partialparalysis,violentabdominalcramps,pains,andspasmsmayresult.Thepaincanbesosevereastoleadtofrequentdiagnosisasappendicitis,colic,orfoodpoison-ing.Reportsindicatethatmortalityfromblackwidowbitesresultsin1%orlessofthecases,withveryyoungorveryoldindividualsatthegreatestrisk.Moretypically,recoveryiscompletein1to5days.Incaseofabitethevictimshouldconsultaphysicianimmediately.

Other Common Spiders

Tarantula The spider known as the tarantula in Oklahoma is amember of the hairy mygalomorph family in the genusAphonopelma.Theselargespidersarebrowntoblack,hairyandmorethan3incheslongwhenfullgrown(Figure4).Thefemalesarelargerthanthemalesandhaveabdomensaboutthesizeofaquarter.Femalesmaylive15to20yearsormoreandusuallymoltatyearlyintervals. Tarantulasarenocturnalhuntingspidersthatspendthedayunderrocks,inabandonedmouseburrows,orinothershelteredareas.Theymaybeseenalongcountyroadsortrailsintheeveningorlateatnight.MaletarantulasaresometimesseeninamajormigrationforafewweeksusuallyaroundJuneandSeptember.Thepurposeofthismigrationisnotknown,butitmayoccurasmalessearchformates.

Tarantulasaresometimeskeptaspetsandsometimesbecomequitetame.Althoughtheycanbehandled,cautionisadvisedsincetheycanquicklybecomedisturbedandpiercethe skin with their chelicerae or fangs. They have venomsacsbuttheirvenomisnotconsideredofmajorconcerntohumans.Tarantulasrequireaconstantsupplyofwaterinaflat dish into which they can lower their mouths. Tarantula food consists of live crickets, mealworms, caterpillars, orotherinsects.Theycangoforseveralweekswithoutfoodandsometimesrefusetoeatbeforemolting.Tarantulascancrawlupglassandescapethroughsmallopenings,sotheymust be kept in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Baldspotsonthetopandrearoftheabdomenarearesultofadefensemechanismintarantulas.Tarantulascanusethehind legstoejectorpropelbarbedhairsfromtheabdomenatapotentialaggressor.Thesehairshavebeenfoundinthenosepadsofdogsandvariousothermammalsthathaveconfrontedtarantulas.Thehairsarenotreportedtoharmhumans.

Jumping Spiders Jumpingspiders,ofthefamilySalticidae,comeinmanysizes,shapes,andcolors.Thesespidersareactivehuntersduringthedayandhavegoodeyesight,relyingprimarilyonmovementtolocateprey.Theystalktheirpreybeforetheyattackinafastleap.Jumpingspidersputoutalineofweb-bingwhentheyjumpandwillsometimesdanglefromthatdraglineafteraleapthatfails. Jumpingspidersareboldandstockyinappearanceandoftenbrightlycolored(Figure5).Theyoftenhaveconspicuousbandsofblackandwhiteontheirbodiesorlegs.Othershavevelvetyredabdomensandsomeevenhavemetalliccolorsonthechelicerae.Theyhaveeighteyeswithonelargepairinthefront. Phidippus audaxisoneofthemostcommonandcon-spicuousofthejumpingspiders.InOklahoma,itusuallyhasaredorwhite irregularspotonthebackoftheabdomen.However,inotherstates,itoftenhasagoldspotontheabdo-menwhichgivesitthecommonnamegoldenjumpingspider.Itcanbefoundaroundtheexteriorofhomes,ingardens,andsometimeswithinhomes. Jumpingspiders,likemostspiders,arenotconsideredhazardoustohumansandarenotlikelytobiteunlesscorneredorhandled.

Figure 2. Eye patern and fiddle markings on the brown recluse spider.

7301-4

Figure 7. Garden spider (orb weaver).

Figure 6. Wolf spider.

Wolf Spiders WolfspidersarenocturnalhuntersinthefamilyLycosidae.Theyareusuallysomberbrownandblackincolorandmayhavelongitudinalstripes(Figure6).Thesespidersarelargeandoftenseenunderlights.Theysometimesenterhomesthroughcracksandcrevicesarounddoorsandwindows. Members of the genus Lycosa are some of the mostconspicuouswolfspiders.Theyformwebbingonlytoprovidedaytimeshelter,anddonotuseittocaptureprey.Femalesofmostspeciesofwolfspiderscarrytheireggmassesbelowtheirabdomensuntilaftereggshatch.Theyoungspiderlingsclingtothemotherforashorttimeafterhatching,andmaybefoundonherabdomenaswell. Wolf spiders are frequently encountered but pose nohazardtohumans.

long,butthelegsaremuchlonger.ThemaleArgiopeisoftenlessthanaquarterthesizeofthefemaleandsometimescanbefoundinthewebwiththefemale.Thesespidersareoften called garden spiders but they may be found in fields, onfences,aroundthehome,andinotherlocations.Thesegardenspidersaregenerallyharmlessbutareconsideredanuisancebysomesincethewebsarelargeandmaybeplacedinconvenientlyforhumans.However,gardenspidersare beneficial as they catch many pest insects around homes andgardens.

Control of Spiders Asaprecautionarymeasure,becomefamiliarwiththeappearanceandhabitsofvenomousspiders.Sincespidersnestinquiet,undisturbedareas,frequentcleaninginclosets,cellars,andothersuchareashelpskeepspidersaway.Usescreening,weatherstripping,andcaulktosealbuildingstopreventspiderentry.Wherepossible,useawaterhosetowashoffoutsideareas,particularlyunderroofeaves.Whenchemicalcontrolisnecessary,checkthelabelsofproductsrecommendedforhouseholdpestcontroltoseeiftheylistspidercontrolintheareasyouintendtotreat. Treatoutsideunderroofeaves,windowledgesandporchandpatioroofs.Inside,treataroundwindows,doorfacings,baseboards,basements,attics,andstorageplaces. Note: Brown recluse spiders can be extremely difficult to control. If fiddleback spiders are commonly seen, it is suggested that a pest control firm be employed to make thoroughtreatmenttoallareasofthehouse.Controloftenrequiresmorethanonetreatment.

First Aid Relievelocalswellingandpainbyapplyinganicepackoralcoholdirectlytotheareaofthespiderbite. Incaseofseverereaction,orifthebiteisfromabrownrecluseorblackwidow,consultaphysicianimmediately.Ifpossible, take along the biting spider for positive identifica-tion. Specific antivenom is only available for black widow treatment.

Figure 5. Jumping spider.

Orb Weavers Orb-weaving spiders produce the flat, circular webs usuallyassociatedwithspiders.OrbweaversvaryinshapesandsizesbutthebrightlycoloredArgiopearethelargestandbestknown(Figure7).Argiopearemarkedwithyellow,black,orange,orsilver.Thebodyofthefemaleismorethan1inch

OklahomaStateUniversity,incompliancewithTitleVIandVIIoftheCivilRightsActof1964,ExecutiveOrder11246asamended,TitleIXoftheEducationAmendmentsof1972,AmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1990,andotherfederallawsandregulations,doesnotdiscriminateonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin,gender,age,religion,disability,orstatusasaveteraninany of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services.

IssuedinfurtheranceofCooperativeExtensionwork,actsofMay8andJune30,1914,incooperationwiththeU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,RobertE.Whitson,DirectorofCooperativeExtensionService,OklahomaStateUniversity,Stillwater,Oklahoma.ThispublicationisprintedandissuedbyOklahomaStateUniversityasauthorizedbytheVicePresident,Dean,andDirec-toroftheDivisionofAgriculturalSciencesandNaturalResourcesandhasbeenpreparedanddistributedatacostof62centspercopy.0604