Araneomorph spiders belonging to the genus Cheiracanthium, Carl Ludwig Koch, first described also known as yellow sac spiders, in 1839. They often have light skin, and the color of their abdomen can range from yellow to beige. Sizes for both sexes range from 5 to 10 millimeters (0.20 to 0.39 in). They stand out from other common house spiders because their tarsi do not tip either inside or outward (like those of Tegenaria or Araneus), making them simpler to recognize.
Geographical Range
The West Indies, Mexico, the United States, and southern Canada are just a few of the places in North and South America where yellow sac spiders (sometimes called agricultural sac spiders) can be found. There are reports of yellow sac spiders as well, which suggests that they may be an introduced species to Africa.
Habitat
Yellow sac spiders create silk tubes similar to sacs under ground debris and inside man-made structures, where they spend the day hiding. Alternatively, during the day or in other confined spaces, the spiders may roll themselves up in leaves or other debris to provide protection. This species lives in a wide range of environments, such as trees, forest floors, orchards and other agricultural settings, as well as bushes that border open fields.
Description of the body
- Typically cream to light yellow in hue, yellow sac spiders can have an orange-brown stripe running transversely across the abdomen.
- Although the base color of each individual is uniform, the chelicerae, tarsi, and pedipalps are all dark brown.
- Their diet plays a role in how their body color develops; for example, people who are known to eat house flies have bodies that are visibly more gray in color, whereas people who eat red-eyed fruit flies have bodies that have a reddish tinge.
- The size difference between males and females is 5–10 mm and 4–8 mm, respectively.
- Males have a longer leg span despite the fact that females have slightly larger and more substantial bodies. Particularly long and employed for catching prey are the front pair of legs.
Lifespan
As of right now, nothing is known about the yellow sac spider’s life span.
Feeding Habits
Yellow sac spiders feed on arthropods such cotton plant bugs (Creontiades signatus), fleahoppers (Pseudomatoscelis seriatus), fruit flies (Drosophila sp.), and leafhoppers (Erythroneura variabilis), as well as lepidopteran eggs like those of Helicoverpa zea and Plutella xylostella. They have also been observed feeding on spiders such as Theridion melanurum and Anyphaena pacifica. In addition to eating prey, these spiders also ingest nectar when foraging. Consuming nectar improves fitness through higher rates of survival, growth, and fecundity, particularly during times of low prey availability. Consuming nectar can hasten sexual maturation and increase the number of offspring.
Importance for Humans
Positive
These spiders are important agricultural pest predators, and their presence increases crop yields and financial gain.
Negative
Yellow sac spiders are frequently discovered close to people, inside homes, or while out in the open. They have cytotoxic venom that has necrotizing properties. Although necrotic lesions are uncommon, these spiders can still bite painful and may need medical attention. This is especially true of females that are defending their eggs.
Not Keeping as a Pet, Why?
These spiders, like all other pests, are not at all fit to be kept as pets. Although they are not naturally aggressive, they may bite if they feel threatened. Males tend to bite less frequently than females do. However, if the wound is left untreated or manipulated, their bite can be painful even though it often does not contain any dangerous venom.
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