9-11-13 Unusual spider - Chignik, Lagoon, Alaska, USA
Observation: I was working at the Chignik Lagoon Post Office on Wednesday September 11th and I seen a spider that I have never seen here in Chignik. I called the Post Master and told her about it so her and her husband came to see what it was. They both have never seen that kind of spider here either. They took it around town to see if they could find out what it was, but no one know what kind of spider it was. After work I went home with the creepy crawlies and decided to google spiders and found out that it was a Hobo Spider and is number seven on the top ten most deadliest spiders. I was not able to take a picture because I didn't have my camera or cell phone. But found a picture that looks exactly like the spider that I seen. We don't have any kind of insects like that and I think that everyone should pay attention to their mail who knows what else can be tagging along with the package. Jodee Anderson
LEO Comment: This post has been forwarded to the Cooperative Extension Services's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program for comment and guidance on the collection and preservation of spiders.
Resource:
Cooperative Extension Service: The hobo spiders are not native to Alaska, but can arrive via shipments. The publication, Beneficial Insects and Spiders of Alaska, by UAF, Cooperative Extension Service Integrated Pest Mmanagement (IPM) Program provides a good overview of some important insects and diseases, including spiders in Alaska.
BugwoodWiki: An introduction to Collecting Insects – "Methods to collect insects and other arthropods are almost as numerous as kinds of insects, and new techniques are still being developed. This page will cover the general collection of various groups of insects and arthropods, and offer specific hints and tips where available. However, collecting a specific taxon for a specific purpose may require a particular protocol which should be followed."
