How to recognize a spider-cross and how dangerous is it?

The spider-cross is the representative of the most common species, which is found in almost all regions except the northern and southern latitudes. It prefers places with high humidity and is most often found in gardens, fields, among shrubs growing near ponds, as well as in groves and forests. It can also live on the eaves of buildings and on the facades of buildings.

Characteristic

The spider-cross, or crusader, got its name thanks to cross on the back, which, as can be seen in the photo, is formed from white spots. The abdomen of the arthropod is colored brown, has a drop-shaped form. The cross has 8 legs, on which are located the hypersensitive organs of smell. There are 8 eyes on the head, they are directed in different directions, which makes the review as wide as possible.

It is interesting! The spider-crosses have very poor eyesight - they only see the blurry outlines of objects. And the senses on the paws help them to know and interact with the outside world!

The male spider-spider looks the same as the female. The only difference is the size. So, the females are slightly larger than the males and their sizes can be from 16 to 25 mm, the body size of the male is about 10-11 mm. Throughout their lives, these arthropods molt several times, and this happens at regular intervals.

Food

Crosses are hunters who are most active at dusk and night. In the afternoon, they prefer to sit out in secluded places. In their diet there are:

• flies;
• butterflies;
• mosquitoes;
• aphids;
• vile, etc.

During the hunt, the crusader spider is located in the center of its web and freezes. From the outside it may seem that he is dead. But as soon as the victim enters the net, the hunter reacts with lightning speed. He quickly runs up to the entangled insect, plunges into his body his sharp claws, which are located on the front pair of legs, and injects paralytic poison. After some time, the caught victim freezes. Moreover, in different situations, spiders either immediately eat their prey, or leave it in reserve.

On a note! The spider learns that someone found himself in the web with the help of his paws - the victim moves, trying to get out, and creates a vibration that the crosspiece feels!

The cross-spider eats quite a lot - the total amount of food absorbed per day is approximately equal to the mass of its body. And at one time he is able to eat about a dozen insects. For this reason, he spends almost all of his time hunting, constantly being on the web and waiting for another victim. An insignificant part of the day is allotted for rest, but even during this period the signal thread is necessarily tied to one of the hunter's legs.

On a note! Not all insects are included in the diet of a spider-cross. If a victim with an unpleasant odor, someone poisonous or too large, enters the web, the hunter prefers in this case to let go of the unwanted guest. He has a bite of holding threads and lets go of what he has!

Breeding

During the spring and summer, young males are mainly engaged in weaving and hunting, trying to provide themselves with normal nutrition. Closer to the mating period, they leave their shelters and move from place to place in search of a female.At this time, they eat extremely poorly, which explains the significant difference in mass between them and the spiders.

After the male finds the web of the female, he makes several attempts to inform her of his appearance - he carefully steps to the edge, causing vibrations. The female immediately breaks away and tries to catch up with the male, thinking that this is another victim. And the male, in turn, is fleeing along his thread, which he prudently lowers beforehand. This continues until the spider understands who exactly came to visit her.

Immediately after mating, the spider tries to hide faster. However, it succeeds to units - the most efficient. Most die from female poison. This period occurs around the end of summer or the beginning of autumn.

Fertilized female masonry. Eggs, which can number about 300-800 pieces, she places in a cocoon tightly woven from cobwebs and for some time carries it on herself. Then the spider finds a suitable shelter, where it leaves the masonry. Often such a place becomes a tree bark lagging behind the trunk, cracks in the wood, fallen leaves, etc. Eggs are stored there until spring. At the same time, in the cocoon, the future offspring is absolutely safe - it is warm in it and it does not get wet.

With the onset of heat, small spiders appear from the eggs.

After the birth of the young crosses need enough food, but not always the territory where they first saw the world is able to feed them. Therefore, it is important for spiders to leave this densely populated area as soon as possible, otherwise many of them risk being eaten by their own brethren or simply starving to death. However, these arthropods are not capable of independently moving over a long distance, since their legs are very poorly developed. Often a fair wind carries them - a spider waits for windy weather, clings to its web and flies, thus, from place to place.

It is interesting! The spider's web helps the spider to cross very impressive distances - sometimes about 400 km!

Given the above, it is not difficult to calculate how long a spider lives. In spring, the young come out of the eggs, and in the fall they already mate. Males in most cases die immediately after they fertilize the female, and the spiders a little later - they spend several weeks near the hidden cocoon and, having fulfilled their parental duty, die before winter arrives. It turns out that the nature of the cross is not allotted so much - only 6-8 months.

Toxicity

Is a spider a cross dangerous for humans? Its poison is toxic to us and after about five minutes after a bite, you can feel the following unpleasant symptoms:

• a sharp headache;
• slight increase in body temperature;
• slight weakness;
• discomfort in the joints;
• itching and tingling at the site of the bite;
• subcutaneous hemorrhages are possible.

On a note! Often after a bite, only a local reaction occurs, which manifests itself in the form of a reddened and somewhat hardened edema. But sometimes the consequences can be more serious. In this case, it depends on the immune abilities of the human body!

The bite of a spider-cross is not fatal, however, despite this, contact with it is advisable to avoid. If he did bite you, then, first of all, the affected area should be thoroughly washed with soap and water, which will help prevent additional infection. Next, to the place of the bite, you need to attach something very cold, if possible ice, and treat it with an anti-inflammatory ointment.

Important! If the spider cross has bitten the child, then calling an ambulance is mandatory!

In order to avoid contact with the spider by a cross, while relaxing in nature, you should definitely close the tent at night, and if it has windows, then mosquito nets should be put on them. In the evening, be sure to inspect your berth, while it is advisable to remove all the rugs and blankets and grind them well. When walking through the forest, always go around the woven cobwebs, and if you notice a cross near you, then in no case take it in your hands.

Similar rules apply to staying at a tourist base and even in a country house. Upon arrival, you should inspect all rooms for a symmetrical web and if this is found, then it must be immediately carefully removed with a long object. In this case, it is advisable to protect the hands with gloves.