Blue tarantula spider or metal tree tarantula, is it dangerous?

Danger to humans

All tarantula spiders are poisonous.
If they talk about a safe animal, this means poison of low toxicity. There are no officially registered cases of human death from a bite. However, there is information that cats have died from pets. Often the bite occurs dry - without injecting poison. Then only a small hematoma remains at the site of the attack. An allergic reaction to a toxic substance depends on the state of the immune system and age. Spider bites are potentially dangerous for children, people prone to allergic reactions, and the elderly. Possible consequences are local skin allergies, breathing difficulties, muscle spasms, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, dizziness.

In natural conditions, spiders shed poisonous fibers when there is a threat to their own lives, and weave them into the web when forming a cocoon with eggs or a nest. In the terrarium, the tarantula sheds its lint due to stress. Inhaling them leads to the development of allergies - rhinitis, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, lacrimation, etc.

At home, tarantulas are kept in terrariums and fed with insects. It is impossible to train or accustom spiders to anything.

Where do they live?

Under natural conditions, these spiders are active at night, and during the day they hide in the crowns of trees. Also, young individuals often make homes for themselves at the base of a tree in earthen burrows, disguising them with cobwebs. Blue spiders live mainly in groups.

Help! The venom of these arthropods is potent. A human bite from an adult can lead to various allergic reactions, headaches, nausea, dizziness and fever.

Overall Difference

To date, more than 40 thousand species of arachnids have been officially registered. From the smallest common house spiders to large exotic tarantulas.

All of them differ not only in appearance, size, but also in the type of life activity. So tarantulas can be divided into the following types:

ground. These species lead their lives on the surface of the earth. Often such specimens become prey to porcupines, possums and other predators;
woody. Spiders of these orders also live on the ground in their youth, but after reaching puberty they move to trees. Even despite the presence of highly toxic poison, these representatives of the flora can be attacked by many animals;
burrows. Probably the most adaptable species. The life activity of such spiders allows them to dig a hole sufficiently deep, which protects them from the outside world. But even when this species goes hunting, it faces great danger.

Spreading

The metallic tree tarantula is found only in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India in the vicinity of the cities of Nandyal and Giddaluru.
The total area of its habitat does not exceed 100 square kilometers. The animal was first discovered in the bungalow of a railway engineer on the northwestern line of the Madras Railway in the town of Gooty, located a hundred miles from its habitat. Presumably it got there after traveling on a train. Subsequently, he was never found in this area again.

The caught specimen was described in 1899 by British arachnologist Reginald Pocock. For a long time, the species was considered extinct, until 102 years later it was found again in the jungle by Canadian zoologist Rick West and British naturalist Andrew Smith. The local population calls it a blue or blue spider.

Pecilotheria metallica is included in the list of the 100 most endangered species of the world's flora and fauna.

Lifespan

It is important for people who decide to keep this animal at home to know how long tarantula spiders live in captivity. Females, regardless of conditions, can live up to 30 years

As for males, their life expectancy is much shorter. They usually stop molting after reaching reproductive age, in most cases they die in the same year or after mating.

When maintaining a home, it is important to choose an arthropod suitable nutrition system and optimal temperature. If fed infrequently, the spider will live longer

Cold causes the metabolism to slow down, so the birder's development will slow down.

Habitats of tarantulas in nature

Distributed throughout the globe. Most species live in tropical countries - America, Mexico, Africa, Australia. Some varieties are found in Europe - Spain, Italy, Portugal.

In natural conditions, tarantulas live on trees, shrubs, as well as in soil and rocks. It often happens that nymphs initially live underground in burrows, and when they mature, they move to trees. Almost all tarantulas are slow, making sudden movements in case of urgent need. Well-fed females may not leave the shelter for several months.

Interesting!
How long a female can live depends on living conditions. Some species live up to 30 years. They shed periodically, increase in size, and change color somewhat. Males die immediately after mating or within a year. Weakened “suitors” can be eaten by the female after mating.

The most common types

Today, science knows 13 of the most popular subfamilies of tarantulas, representing a huge number of the most unusual species, different in habitat:

Cyclosternum fasciatum. This type of arthropod can be found in the tropical forests of Costa Rica. Despite its small dimensions, the spider's paw span is 12 centimeters. The insect has a very attractive color with tints of black, gray, red and brown. With each molt, the colors become brighter;
Acanthoscurria brocklehursti. The breed belongs to the Brazilian species of black and white tarantulas. The body length of an adult is 9 centimeters, with a paw span of up to 23 cm. Arachnids can settle both on the surface and in burrows. The color of the body is very bright. Insects are characterized by aggressive behavior. The average lifespan of a female is 15 years;
Aphonopelma seemanni. This species can be found in Central American countries. This representative of arthropods belongs to the burrow inhabitants. The dimensions of the insect are not particularly large and slow in growth: the body length is only 6 cm, while the leg span is 15. In the event of an attack, individuals do not bite, but comb out toxic hairs, which, if they get on the skin, can cause severe irritation;
Brachypelma boehmei. The main habitat of Brachypelma Boem is Mexico. Despite its small dimensions: the length of the body is 7 cm, the legs are quite long - 18 cm. The color of the body is black and orange. The insect has a calm, moderate character, and does not cause difficulties in maintenance and care. The favorable temperature in the spider’s home should be at least 27 degrees, humidity – 75 percent. Boemi prefer to eat cockroaches, worms and grasshoppers;
Avicularia versicolor. This breed is widely distributed in Guadeloupe. The body length of an adult reaches 6 cm, with a limb span of 18. After each molt, a metallic sheen can be noted on the insect’s fur. The appearance seems very peaceful and good-natured. However, if threatened, the tarantula is capable of biting. The creature does not shed hair from its body, which is one of the main advantages of the arthropod.

It is important to remember that every tarantula, including the goliath, is first and foremost a wild creature. That is why the owner must create conditions as similar to natural conditions as possible.

Otherwise, the creature may experience extreme stress and die.

There is a misconception that spiders feed on birds and that is why they got their name. In fact, this is not at all the case. The main diet of arthropods includes the following types of small insects:

flies;
crickets;
grasshoppers;
cockroaches;
moths;
caterpillars

Domestic arachnids are sometimes not averse to eating raw chicken or fish. For adults, it is enough to have lunch twice a week. Young spiders feed more often - 4 times a week.

Nutrition

Blue arthropods are predators. They do not feed on birds; the basis of their diet consists of grasshoppers, larvae of various insects, other smaller spiders and beetles, small frogs, locusts, etc. The spider's food does not exceed it in size; it does not dare to attack large prey. These predators do not use the web for hunting, but simply attack the prey. Having overtaken the prey, it injects poison into it, which paralyzes the victim’s body. Then it weaves a web around the insect and releases stomach acid into the immobilized body. After a short period of time, the insides of the prey soften and the predator begins to feed.

Tissue damage

One of the common causes of death of tarantulas is damage to body tissue. A whitish fluid (hemolymph) leaks out. Tissues can be injured as a result of a spider falling from a height, from a wall onto a stone or other hard surface.

As a result, the abdomen may rupture. Arachnids very often enter into a fight with large representatives of cockroaches, whose spiked legs can injure the tissues of the tarantula. Crickets can also cause damage through their bite.

If the damage is not severe, then you should monitor the animal’s condition for several hours to make sure that the hemolymph has not leaked out. If not, then it is best to leave the tarantula alone at least for a while.

If leakage is still noticeable, then the damaged area should be very carefully smeared with BF-6 or Vaseline. Vaseline helps keep the fluid from flowing out. The next step is to move the spider to a sterile space.

This will help reduce the risk of contracting an infectious disease. Under no circumstances should you smear wounds and open damaged areas with brilliant green, hydrogen peroxide, iodine or potassium permanganate. The spider may suffer from poisoning.

Some breeders sprinkled the wound with regular wheat flour and wrapped it in a soft napkin. Thus, the wound gradually healed, and the spider did not experience pain or irritation.

Even if the bleeding was stopped, there is a high probability that the spider may die. Like the human body, the structure of the spider's body contains 70 percent liquid. During molting periods, spiders spend the greatest amount of water.

Increased moisture levels help soften the exoskeleton. Dehydration occurs when hemolymph leaks out. The spider's body may not be able to cope with the molting process.

Ticks

The reasons for the appearance and reproduction of ticks can be different: being kept in poor conditions, where there is no ventilation, insufficient humidity, garbage and leftover food. A large number of ticks bother and irritate the tarantula, preventing it from living.

The insect refuses to eat and becomes active only at night. Mites are able to penetrate not only the spider’s lungs, but also the mouth, thus increasing the risk of death. The infected spider must be moved to another container and the mites should be shaken off.

The soil and bedding must be changed immediately and everything should be washed thoroughly with hot water. The tarantula should be kept in another container with a dry cloth for some time.

Gorbatka

The humpback is a miniature black midge. In appearance, it slightly resembles a fruit fly, although it has a slimmer and smaller body. Unlike ticks, the humpback is not capable of causing significant damage to the tarantula, but is a carrier of dangerous diseases.

Its long-term presence in the spider causes a stress reaction. The insect stops eating and combs its fur more and more often. The greatest danger is caused by larvae.

They feed exclusively on flesh. Prevention is very similar to treatment methods for ticks. First, the midges must be eliminated, and then the aquarium must be completely disinfected.

Tarantulas caught in the wild most often suffer from infection by various types of parasites. Timely prevention can alleviate the suffering of the insect, but cannot completely rid it of parasitic midges.

Thus, experts recommend purchasing tarantulas bred in captivity.

They are able to regenerate lost limbs during the molting process.

Many tarantulas molt, constantly shedding old skin and producing new ones, just as representatives of the snake kingdom do. Tarantulas sometimes use molting to regenerate lost limbs.

When a limb is lost, the tarantula increases fluid pressure in the body in order to tear off part of the shell. Fluid is then pumped into the limb, causing the old skin to come off and new skin to be created in the shape of the lost limb. The mold is filled with liquid until it becomes solid. After this, the tarantula regenerates the lost part of the shell. This process can take several hours. All this time, the spider is in a particularly vulnerable state due to the presence of open parts of the body that have a rubber texture.

Description

In many countries, tarantula spiders are gaining popularity every day. There are a number of reasons for this.

All spiders of this species have a beautiful color.
Keeping a tarantula spider at home is not too expensive and quite simple.
The tarantula spider looks very extravagant as a pet. And if traditional pets have become commonplace, then the spider will certainly arouse the interest of your guests.

The tarantula spider is a predator, but in nature these arthropods do not hunt large prey. Basically, these spiders feed on small insects, smaller spiders, as well as small rodents, small birds, fish, and maggots. The difference between this type of animal and others is that tarantula spiders do not use web traps for their prey; they wait and attack their prey from ambush and at a short distance.

Reproduction

Males reach sexual maturity at the age of 1-2 years, females at 2-5 years. Before the mating season, males weave a web and apply seminal fluid to it. During the mating season, the spider collects sperm in a special bag - the cymbium, and crawls towards the female. The hooks hold her sexual organ and fill her with seminal fluid.

After fertilization, the female becomes aggressive; if the male does not have time to escape, she risks being eaten. After 1-8 months, the female begins to form a cocoon from the web, laying from 50 to 2000 eggs there. Embryos develop from several weeks to months - 20-106 days. All this time, the female protects the cubs and periodically turns over the cocoon. However, if there is a shortage of food, it can eat it all.

Tarantula Reproduction

Spiders are born weak and inactive. They don’t feed for some time, so they coexist quite peacefully. After the first molt, they increase in size and acquire a characteristic color. The tarantula grows slowly. The female sheds almost her entire life, even after becoming a sexually mature individual.

Interesting!
Before shedding its old skin, the tarantula stops eating, weaves a rug out of its web, turns over on its back, and pulls off its cover. The spider molts during its adult stage every month. After puberty in males, this process stops; the female molts every year. Together with the old coat, the animal sheds parasites, fungi, bacteria, and renews the poisonous coat of villi.

Interesting facts about spiders

There are more than forty thousand species of spiders in the world.
Small, poisonous spiders live in Chile. They usually live in dark and dusty corners, so Chileans always keep their houses clean. Sometimes they also introduce other spiders into their home, larger ones that are harmless to humans and feed on their small, poisonous relatives.
The spider brain occupies on average a quarter of the body volume.
Since spiders do not have ears, they hear sounds using hairs growing on their legs. They sense odors in the same way - with sensitive hairs.
While some species of spiders are almost blind, others have very sharp vision.
Spider web can withstand stretching up to four hundred percent of its original length.
Spiders molt periodically, shedding their old chitinous shell and growing a new one.
Cannibalism is common among some species of spiders.
In almost all species, male spiders are smaller than females and are usually more variegated and brightly colored.
The body length of the smallest spiders does not reach half a millimeter, and the largest ones reach nine centimeters (up to 25 taking into account the leg span).
Spiders live all over the planet, in all countries.
Some spiders can move quickly on the surface of the water.
Only a small part of all types of poisonous spiders are dangerous to humans. These include, for example, karakurt, common in the south of Russia.
In some countries, locals enjoy eating spiders.
Arachnophobia is one of the most common phobias in people.
Tarantulas got their name in honor of the Italian city of Taranto, in the vicinity of which they are common.
Anteater spiders are very similar to the ants they hunt, and differ in appearance only by having eight legs instead of six. They penetrate anthills for prey, lifting up their front pair of legs and using them to imitate ant antennae, and then hunt.

The overwhelming majority of spider species lead a solitary lifestyle.
Not all spiders hunt using webs; some prefer to pounce on prey, like real predators.
Singapore spiders are able to make a copy of themselves from various small debris caught in their web. This is a defense mechanism, as some wasps prey on spiders. While they are attacking the dummy, the spider may have time to escape.
Spiders do not stick to their own webs thanks to the hairs on their legs.
One of the species of spiders found in Hawaii has a smiley-face color on its back.
Australian gladiator spiders spin square sacs of web, sneak up on their prey, and then cast their web over them.
Most spiders are very useful creatures, as they destroy harmful insects.
The strongest web in the world is produced by the Darwin spider. The threads of this web are about ten times stronger than Kevlar.
The most aggressive type of arachnid is the banana spider. It often attacks everyone it sees, including people, and its poison is deadly.
At one time, a spider can lay several thousand eggs.
Water spiders can live underwater, creating air bubbles for themselves to breathe.
Instead of blood, spiders have hemolymph. It is transparent, but turns light blue in air.
Each spider has eight legs, and each leg has six knees.

If the web catches prey that is too dangerous, such as a hornet, the small spider will likely break the web enough to allow the prey to fly away. This is safer for him than trying to wrap his prey in a cocoon - it can fight back.
According to French scientists, in a moderately warm climate, spiders destroy about 400 million insects per hectare of land per year.
The Arctic climate, which is harsh and cold, is home to about 1,000 species of spiders.
Apparently, many of them are not afraid of the cold. Representatives of the species Euophrys omnisuperstes, related to jumping spiders, are found even high in the mountains, where most people simply cannot survive without an oxygen mask. Once a specimen of Euophrys omnisuperstes was even discovered on the summit of Everest.
Jumping spiders got their name because many of them move by jumping. Moreover, in one jump they can cover a distance exceeding the length of their body by several tens of times.

stofaktov.rf/31-interesting-fact-about-spiders/

https://thefactum.com/10-interesnyh-faktov-kotorye-vy-ne-znali-o-paukah/

https://faktrus.ru/55-facts-about-spiders/

Reviews

Before you buy a tarantula spider for home keeping, it is important to decide for yourself whether you are ready to provide it with comfortable living conditions. Pets need a certain temperature and humidity. Animals must be fed properly. The diet should contain food of animal origin. Families with small children are not recommended to have a tarantula spider, since it is unknown how the baby’s body will react if the child is bitten by an exotic pet.

How do you feel about spiders, in particular tarantulas? Would you like to have one of these? Share in the comments.

Taxonomy

The family Theraphosidae
includes 143 genera:

Acanthopelma
F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897
Acanthoscurria
Ausserer, 1871
Acentropelma
Pocock, 1901
Aenigmarachne
Schmidt, 2005
Agnostopelma
Pérez-Miles & Weinmann, 2010
Aguapanela
Perafan & Cifuentes, 2015
Ami
Perez-Miles, 2008
Annandaliella
Hirst, 1909
Anoploscelus
Pocock, 1897
Antillena
Bertani, Huff & Fukushima, 2017
Aphonopelma
Pocock, 1901
Augacephalus
Gallon, 2002
Avicularia
Lamarck, 1818
Bacillochilus
Gallon, 2010
Barropelma
Chamberlin, 1940
Batesiella
Pocock, 1903
Bistriopelma
Kaderka, 2015
Bonnetina
Vol, 2000
Brachionopus
Pocock, 1897
Brachypelma
Simon, 1891
Bumba
Perez-Miles, Bonaldo & Miglio, 2014
Cardiopelma
Vol, 1999
Caribena
Fukushima & Bertani, 2017
Catanduba
Yamamoto, Lucas & Brescovit, 2012
Catumiri
Guadanucci, 2004
Ceratogyrus
Pocock, 1897
Chaetopelma
Ausserer, 1871
Chilobrachys
Karsch, 1892
Chromatopelma
Schmidt, 1995
Citharacanthus
Pocock, 1901
Citharognathus
Pocock, 1895
Clavopelma
chamberlin, 1940
Coremiocnemis
Simon, 1892
Cotztetlana
Mendoza, 2012
Crassicrus
Reichling & West, 1996
Cubanana
Ortiz, 2008
Cyclosternum
Ausserer, 1871
Cyriocosmus
Simon, 1903
Cyriopagopus
Simon, 1887
Cyrtopholis
Simon, 1892
Davus
O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1892
Dolichothele
Mello-Leitão, 1923
Encyocratella
Strand, 1907
Encyocrates
Simon, 1892
Ephebopus
Simon, 1892
Euathlus
Ausserer, 1875
Eucratoscelus
Pocock, 1898
Eumenophorus
Pocock, 1897
Eupalaestrus
Pocock, 1901
Euphrictus
Hirst, 1908
Eurypelmella
Strand, 1907
Euthycaelus
Simon, 1889
Grammostola
Simon, 1892
Guyruita
Guadanucci, Lucas, Indicatti & Yamamoto, 2007
Hapalopus
Ausserer, 1875
Hapalotremus
Simon, 1903
Haploclastus
Simon, 1892
Haplocosmia
Schmidt & von Wirth, 1996
Harpactira
Ausserer, 1871
Harpactirella
Purcell, 1902
Hemirrhagus
Simon, 1903
Heterophrictus
Pocock, 1900
Heteroscodra
Pocock, 1900
Heterothele
Karsch, 1879
Holothele
Karsch, 1879
Homoeomma
Ausserer, 1871
Hysterocrates
Simon, 1892
Idiothele
Hewitt, 1919
Iridopelma
Pocock, 1901
Ischnocolus
Ausserer, 1871
Kankuamo
Perafan, Galvis & Perez-Miles, 2016
Kochiana
Fukushima, Nagahama & Bertani, 2008
Lampropelma
Simon, 1892
Lasiodora
C.L. Koch, 1850
Lasiodorides
Schmidt & Bischoff, 1997
Longilyra
Gabriel, 2014
Loxomphalia
Simon, 1889
Loxoptygus
Simon, 1903
Lyrognathus
Pocock, 1895
Magnacarina
Mendoza, Locht, Kaderka, Medina & Pérez-Miles, 2016
Magulla
Simon, 1892
Mascaraneus
Gallon, 2005
Megaphobema
Pocock, 1901
Melloleitaoina
Gerschman & Schiapelli, 1960
Metriopelma
Becker, 1878
Miaschistopus
Pocock, 1897
Monocentropus
Pocock, 1897
Munduruku
Miglio, Bonaldo & Pérez-MIles, 2013
Mygalarachne
Ausserer, 1871
Myostola
Simon, 1903
Neischnocolus
Petrunkevitch, 1925
Neoheterophrictus
Siliwal & Raven, 2012
Neoholothele
Guadanucci & Weinmann, 2015
Neostenotarsus
Pribik & Weinmann, 2004
Nesiergus
Simon, 1903
Nesipelma
Schmidt & Kovařík, 1996
Nhandu
Lucas, 1983
Omothymus
Thorell, 1891
Ornithoctonus
Pocock, 1892
Orphnaecus
Simon, 1892
Ozopactus
Simon, 1889
Pachistopelma
Pocock, 1901
Pamphobeteus
Pocock, 1901
Pelinobius
Karsch, 1885
Phlogiellus
Pocock, 1897
Phoneyusa
Karsch, 1884
Phormictopus
Pocock, 1901
Phormingochilus
Pocock, 1895
Phrixotrichus
Simon, 1889
Plesiopelma
Pocock, 1901
Plesiophrictus
Pocock, 1899
Poecilotheria
Simon, 1885
Proshapalopus
Mello-Leitão, 1923
Psalmopoeus
Pocock, 1895
Psednocnemis
West, Nunn & Hogg, 2012
Pseudhapalopus
Strand, 1907
Pterinochilus
Pocock, 1897
Pterinopelma
Pocock, 1901
Reichlingia
Rudloff, 2001
Reversopelma
Schmidt, 2001
Sahydroaraneus
Mirza & Sanap, 2014
Schismatothele
Karsch, 1879
Schizopelma
F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897
Selenocosmia
Ausserer, 1871
Selenogyrus
Pocock, 1897
Selenotholus
Hogg, 1902
Selenotypus
Pocock, 1895
Sericopelma
Ausserer, 1875
Sickius
Soares & Camargo, 1948
Sphaerobothria
Karsch, 1879
Stichoplastoris
Rudloff, 1997
Stromatopelma
Karsch, 1881
Tapinauchenius
Ausserer, 1871
Theraphosa
Thorell, 1870
Thrigmopoeus
Pocock, 1899
Thrixopelma
Schmidt, 1994
Tmesiphantes
Simon, 1892
Trichognathella
Gallon, 2004
Trichopelma
Simon, 1888
Typhochlaena
C.L. Koch, 1850
Vitalius
Lucas, Silva & Bertani, 1993
Xenesthis
Simon, 1891
Ybyrapora
Fukushima & Bertani, 2017

Did you know?

Tarantula spiders are often brown in color, which may have lighter or darker shades. It all depends on where they live.
Some species blind predators with a stream of excrement thrown in their direction.
Tarantulas have four pairs of legs, with distinct spines on the third and fourth pair of legs.
Tarantulas can go without food for up to 2 years!
Tarantula spiders are used to treat fear of arachnids.
These are some of the most popular exotic animals, especially on the black market.

Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens maintenance at home:

To keep the beautiful Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens you will need a cubic, or preferably vertical, terrarium. Since the spider is not large, the size of the terrarium may be slightly smaller than the standard 30x30x30 centimeters. If you don’t have a special terrarium, you can use various plastic containers; read for an example of creating an insectarium from a plastic container.

A moisture-absorbing substrate must be placed at the bottom of the terrarium with Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens. Coconut substrate works well, although others will work just as well. I recommend making a layer of substrate at least five centimeters due to the fact that Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens, according to some data, can dig holes (however, I note that I did not observe this with my lameness). A container of clean water must be placed in the terrarium for an adult tarantula spider. Also, the living space for Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens can be decorated with various decorations.

The temperature regime for Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens is 24-26 degrees Celsius. According to information from the Internet, this species can withstand short-term temperature drops of up to 15 degrees, but I, of course, do not recommend checking this information in practice. As mentioned above, Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens is demanding of slightly low humidity of 50-60%, i.e. There is practically no need to moisten the substrate, provided there is a drinking bowl with water.

What to feed a red-knee tarantula

Adult Mexican red-knee tarantulas feed on live crickets and other large insects such as locusts and cockroaches. This means that you must also raise and feed insects along with the spider. Grasshoppers and other large insects can be collected from your yard for feeding, but their diet should not include plants containing pesticides. A pinky or small lizard can sometimes be fed as a protein, but be sure to clean out any leftovers from the tank immediately. Also, remove any uneaten live insects, as their constant movement can cause your pet spider to become stressed when it has had its fill. Mexican red-knee tarantulas typically eat once or twice a week and may take an annual break during molting.

A small shallow water dish in a terrarium serves two purposes. First, it is a source of drinking; second, evaporation from the cup helps maintain relative humidity in the tank. Make sure the bowl is shallow and change it daily to keep the water fresh and clean.

Taxonomy

The black Thai tarantula was first described in 1897 by Thord Tamerlane Teodor Thorell, the name Melopoeus minax

.
By Andrew M. Smith the species was then transferred to the genus Haplopelma
requested and granted in 1996, which now serves as a synonym considered to be the designation
Haplopelma minax
.
In 2015, Andrew M. Smith and Michael A. Jacobi found in their edit of Borneo Tarantulas that many tarantulas are sold under different generic names than in the scientific literature. After examining the type specimen of the genus Haplopelma
, it turned out that the earlier
available
genus name for a species with these characteristics was
Cyriopagopus
Simon, 1887. All members of the genus
Haplopelma,
including the black Thai tarantula, have since belonged to the genus
Cyriopagopus
.

Questions

Anna, 19 years old, Moscow

Are karakurt and black widow the same spider?

Yes, that's right. Karakurt is popularly nicknamed the black widow due to the behavior of the female. If he doesn’t like it, he eats it right away, otherwise, he eats it after mating.

Egor, 37 years old, Orel

What is the name of the most poisonous spider in Russia?

Karakurt is the only arthropod in the country whose bite is fatal.

Anton, 54 years old, Izhevsk

What are the names of common spiders in Siberia?

A dangerous arthropod in this area is the steatoda (false karakurt). The black widow migrates to Siberia when hot weather sets in in other parts of the country. The unusual blue tarantula also lives in Siberia.

Egg toxicity

Karakurt eggs are also toxic to other organisms, but the eggs studied did not contain the same typical proteins found in true widow spider toxins. This means that eggs have their own toxic mechanism. Eggs are known to have four different and completely unique toxins, designated latroeggtoxin-I through -IV.

Latroeggtoxin-I has a molecular weight of 23.8 kilodaltons. In experiments with mice, it was found that it reversely blocks their neuromuscular synapses.
Latroeggtoxin-II has a molecular weight of 28.7 kilodaltons. Electrophysiological studies in rats have shown that the toxin selectively inhibits sodium channels in the spinal ganglia (nerve ganglia in the spinal canal) that are resistant to the nerve poison tetrodotoxin, without significantly affecting sodium channels that are resistant to tetrodotoxin.
Latroeggtoxin-III has a molecular weight of about 36.0 kilodaltons and was experimentally neurotoxic to cockroaches, but not to mice, which probably indicates that, unlike the previous two latroeggtoxins, it has an effect only on insects. Further studies using the BLAST algorithm revealed that latroeggtoxin-III is a proteolytic (protein-degrading) toxin and contains vitellogenins.
Latroeggtoxin-IV differs significantly from other latroeggtoxins in that, unlike them, it acts as an antibiotic. It has a molecular weight of 3.6 kilodaltons and has been shown to be particularly effective against Staphylococcus aureus and S. typhimurium, as well as Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa