The BioFiles - Bill Hubick

    Eastern Parson Spider (Herpyllus ecclesiasticus)

    Source: Wikipedia

    Eastern parson spider
    Herpyllus ecclesiasticus[1]
    Scientific classification Edit this classification
    Domain: Eukaryota
    Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Arthropoda
    Subphylum: Chelicerata
    Class: Arachnida
    Order: Araneae
    Infraorder: Araneomorphae
    Family: Gnaphosidae
    Genus: Herpyllus
    Species:
    H. ecclesiasticus
    Binomial name
    Herpyllus ecclesiasticus
    Hentz, 1832
    Synonyms

    Drassus vasifer
    Prosthesima bimaculata
    Prosthesima ecclesiastica
    Melanophora bimaculata
    Herpyllus vasifer
    Herpyllus cratus
    Zelotes bryanti

    In Woodbridge, Virginia
    Herpyllus ecclesiasticus, Hardy County WV
    In Hardy County, West Virginia
    In Peotone, Illinois
    In Kerhonkson, New York

    Herpyllus ecclesiasticus, commonly called the eastern parson spider, is a species of spider named after the abdominal markings resembling an old-style cravat worn by clergy in the 18th century.[2] It is mainly found in North America east of the Rocky Mountains, from Alberta, Canada, east to Nova Scotia, and south to Tamaulipas, Mexico, and Florida, US.[3][4] Individuals can be found throughout the year, both in homes and under rocks or logs in deciduous forests.[4]

    Description

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    Individuals are covered with black hairs on the cephalothorax and gray hairs on the abdomen. On the back is the distinctive white mark that gives the species its common name; there is a small white spot above the spinnerets.[2]

    Behavior

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    During the day, individuals reside in silken retreats. They emerge to hunt at night.[2]

    Bite

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    Bites are painful, and some individuals may experience an allergic reaction.[2]

    References

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    1. ^ Philip N. Cohen Eastern Parson Spider Herpyllus ecclesiasticus
    2. ^ a b c d Jacobs, Steve. "Herpyllus ecclesiasticus". Retrieved June 29, 2019.
    3. ^ "Nearctic Spider Database". Archived from the original on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
    4. ^ a b Platnick, Norman I.; Shadab, Mohammad U. (1977). "Revision of the spider genera Herpyllus and Scotophaeus (Araneae, Gnaphosidae) in North America". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 159.