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Itsy Bitsy’s Bum Rap
Written By: Julie Schott - Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust | Issue: 2016/10 - October
Walking into the woods in my backyard this morning, I feel the unmistakable sticky, spindly feeling that only comes from walking into a spider web. Stretched across the trail are giant, almost invisible orb webs, each with an occupant patiently awaiting a flying insect to zip by and get tangled in their sticky traps. This will be among these spiders’ last meals before they lay eggs and get recycled back into the leaf litter.
Spiders are often overlooked, but during this time of year they may be more noticeable because in the fall, many spider species reach their full size as they mature, mate, and lay egg sacs, which will overwinter and hatch out in the spring.
When spiders are noticed, they often get a bum rap. After all, they are venomous and creepy in nature, but there are actually only a small percentage of spider species whose venom is harmful to humans and they really have no reason to bite you unless they feel threatened. People often do not realize that the benefits that spiders have for people and the planet greatly outweigh these few negative aspects.
Spiders are vital to a healthy ecosystem; they are the most important predators on land. They play a huge role in controlling insect populations, including many pest and nuisance species. Without spiders we would have an uncontrollable overabundance of insects. Spiders are extremely diverse and plentiful. There are over 40,000 different spider species in the world. They have adapted to occupy just about every type of niche on almost every continent of the planet. Wherever you are, you are most likely always within a few feet of a spider.
The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT) is proud to protect a diversity of habitat and thus a huge variety of spider species including some rare and endangered. HCLT protects our forests, wetlands and open spaces, providing healthy habitat for creatures big and small.
If you live in our mountains or love to visit them, please support HCLT. If not, please support your local land trust. Visit www.hicashlt.org or find your local land trust: www.landtrustalliance.org.
