Spiders, Scorpians, Centipedes and Crustaceans
As we all know spiders are prevalent in our homes, garden and in the bush. However most spiders are inactive during the day generally hiding in or under a shelter be it the bark of a tree, a leaf on the ground or somewhere in your house! Sometimes they are seen in their web during the day. Less than 30 percent of spiders found in Victoria actually spin a web to catch their prey. Those that do not spin webs either hunt for their prey; utilise webs of other spiders (even eating the host spider on some occasions); some produce a scent which attracts their prey.
Most spiders are venomous to some degree as they use their venom to immobilise their prey. However the only Victorian spider to be considered highly venomous to humans is the Red-back spider. Other spiders can bite and inject venom into humans, the effect of which can vary depending on the spider and the person. Symptoms range from minor local swelling to considerable swelling, localised pain, headache, nausea and sweating. So if you suspect you have been bitten you may need to see your doctor.
The Myth of Arachne
Athena, goddess of wisdom, was a proud and talented, young goddess. In times of peace, Athena taught Grecians about the arts. She herself was a skillful weaver and potter and always took pride in her pupils' work, as long as they respected her.
One of Athena's pupils was a maiden whose name was Arachne. Arachne was a poor, simple girl who lived in the country. Her father was a quiet man of humble birth. He dyed sheep's wool to earn money for a living. Arachne wove beautiful fabrics of delicate designs, and people began to comment to her that surely she had been taught by the goddess Athena. Arachne denied this and stated that she was certainly better than Athena and that she had learned little or nothing from Athena's teachings. She even went as far as to say that she was a better weaver than Athena !
Athena heard of the boastings of Arachne and decided to speak to her. Athena disguised herself as an old woman and went before Arachne stating, "It is foolish to pretend that you are like one of the gods. You are simply a mortal who talents are paled in comparison to those of the goddess Athena."
Arachne replied, "If Athena doesn't like my words, then let her show her skills in a weaving contest."
The old woman threw off her cape to reveal the goddess Athena standing in front of Arachne. Athena accepted the challenge.
As the contest began, it was clear that the beauty of both Athena's and Arachne's tapestries were lovely. However, the goddess worked more quickly and skillfully. Arachne's attitude about her work showed that she felt her weaving was more lovely, but Athena felt it was an insult to the gods. This angered Arachne especially since Athena requested an apology. Arachne refused, and Athena slapped Arachne in the face. Almost instantly Arachne felt her head begin to shrink and her nimble fingers grow into long, thin legs.
"Vain girl, since you love to weave so very much, why don't you go and spin forever." Athena had turned Arachne into a spider.
So it is said that all spiders have been punished for Arachne's boasting, since they are required to live within their own webs. Since then spiders have been called arachnids.
Below are some of the spiders found in the Binginwarri area
Most spiders are venomous to some degree as they use their venom to immobilise their prey. However the only Victorian spider to be considered highly venomous to humans is the Red-back spider. Other spiders can bite and inject venom into humans, the effect of which can vary depending on the spider and the person. Symptoms range from minor local swelling to considerable swelling, localised pain, headache, nausea and sweating. So if you suspect you have been bitten you may need to see your doctor.
The Myth of Arachne
Athena, goddess of wisdom, was a proud and talented, young goddess. In times of peace, Athena taught Grecians about the arts. She herself was a skillful weaver and potter and always took pride in her pupils' work, as long as they respected her.
One of Athena's pupils was a maiden whose name was Arachne. Arachne was a poor, simple girl who lived in the country. Her father was a quiet man of humble birth. He dyed sheep's wool to earn money for a living. Arachne wove beautiful fabrics of delicate designs, and people began to comment to her that surely she had been taught by the goddess Athena. Arachne denied this and stated that she was certainly better than Athena and that she had learned little or nothing from Athena's teachings. She even went as far as to say that she was a better weaver than Athena !
Athena heard of the boastings of Arachne and decided to speak to her. Athena disguised herself as an old woman and went before Arachne stating, "It is foolish to pretend that you are like one of the gods. You are simply a mortal who talents are paled in comparison to those of the goddess Athena."
Arachne replied, "If Athena doesn't like my words, then let her show her skills in a weaving contest."
The old woman threw off her cape to reveal the goddess Athena standing in front of Arachne. Athena accepted the challenge.
As the contest began, it was clear that the beauty of both Athena's and Arachne's tapestries were lovely. However, the goddess worked more quickly and skillfully. Arachne's attitude about her work showed that she felt her weaving was more lovely, but Athena felt it was an insult to the gods. This angered Arachne especially since Athena requested an apology. Arachne refused, and Athena slapped Arachne in the face. Almost instantly Arachne felt her head begin to shrink and her nimble fingers grow into long, thin legs.
"Vain girl, since you love to weave so very much, why don't you go and spin forever." Athena had turned Arachne into a spider.
So it is said that all spiders have been punished for Arachne's boasting, since they are required to live within their own webs. Since then spiders have been called arachnids.
Below are some of the spiders found in the Binginwarri area
Victorian Funnel Web, Hadronyche modesta Does not have a fatal bite like it's Sydney namesake.
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St. Andrews Cross, Argiope keyserlingi
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This photo show the cross in the web which typifies the St.Andrews Cross spider.
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St. Andrews Cross from the underside.
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Bush Orb Weaver, Plebs eburnus, Family Araneidae
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Prowling Spider, Mituliodon tarantulinus, Family Miturgidae
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Jumping Spider, Sandalodes superbus, female, of Salticidae Family. Approx 1 cm long.
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Leaf-curling Spider, Phonognatha graeffei, Family Araneidae, Sub-family Zygiellinae
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Knobbled Orbweaver, Eriophora pustulosa POSSIBLY, but certainly a member of Family Araneidae
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Enamelled Spider (an orbweaver) - Green Gippsland form, Plebs bradleyi, Family Araneidae
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Carepalxis sp, POSSIBLY, (Secretive) Orb Weaver, but certainly a member of Family Araneidae
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To be identified. Photo John McClumpha
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Jumping Spider, Astia nodosa, from the Family Salticidae
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Mountain Huntsman, Isopeda montana, Family Sparassidae complete with egg sac.
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Crinoline Spider, Stiphidion facetum, of Family Stiphiidae
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Union Jack Wolf Spider, Tasmanicosa (Syn. Lycosa) godeffroyi, Family Lycosidae
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House Centipede. Allothereua maculata. These have 15 pairs of legs.30 - 40 mm long.
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Wood or Forest Scorpion. Cercophonius squama.
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