Violin Spider:
Family: Sicariidae.
Average body length: 8-15 mm, with leg span up to 100 mm.
Identification: Body is yellowish reddish brown with contrasting dark marks. It has a recognisable mark, looking kike aviolin, on its back. Six eyes.
Habitat: Found everywhere. Built up areas. Often found in buildings, under rocks and abandoned termite heaps.
Customs: Night living. Free living no web built.
Venom: Cytotoxic venom that affects the tissue around the bite. One of the six most venomous spiders found in South Africa. Some nasty pictures of bites can be viewed on the internet (not forchildren). Suggested reading: The section on:"Medically important spiders” in the book: Field Guide to Spiders of South Africa by Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman.
Web: Does not build a web.
Food: Insects, like fish moths, therefore the spider is found in homes.
Reproduction: Not available.
References:
- Internet web sites.
- SASOL field guide to Spiders and Scorpions of South Africa.
- Field Guide to Spiders of South Africa by Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman.
The cache:
The cache is a small lock-to-lock container. Be on the lookout for some spiders! It is not too far from a T-junction where taxis frequently stop, so be alert for any muggles watching.
FTF: Spytrix. Well done!