With summer coming to an end and spiders looking for safe places to spend the winter, I wanted to take some time and try to break some common stereotypes about these incredible creatures. While many people may be uncomfortable around spiders, most spiders are harmless and beneficial in many ways.
With over 500 species of spiders in Minnesota, they can be found almost anywhere. While spiders can easily be moved outside of their preferred habitat by a wide variety of factors, each species has a hunting method that limits where they are commonly found. Some species, for example, the Yellow Garden Spider, prefer tall grass to place their web and can commonly be found in prairies. Some, such as fishing spiders, need bodies of water in order to obtain food and can even be seen floating on water or diving to hunt for food. Others, like wolf spiders, chase their prey without using webs. Spiders all over the world have adapted unique ways of hunting specifically in their habitat.
Banded Garden Spider in the Northern Prairie at Ney. Photo by Sam Retz.
Having different methods of hunting allows spiders to catch a wider variety of prey and helps prevent pest species from overpopulating. For example, the fishing spiders mentioned earlier will often feed on mosquito larvae, while other spiders may feed on adult mosquitoes. Spiders can also catch wasps, flies, and other insects that can cause harm to us. Within our homes, they continue to control insect populations, helping our homes to stay cleaner and us to stay healthier.
Many prey insects of spiders can be found concentrated around plants and flowers where spiders continue to play a crucial role in the environment. Aside from eating many insects such as aphids that can damage plants, spiders spread pollen to flowers as they hunt. While they are not attracted by flowers, they can be attracted by insects visiting specific flowers allowing pollination to occur.
Jumping Spider at Ney. Photo by Sam Retz.
Jumping spiders such as the one pictured above sit within flowers and wait to ambush their prey. Their small size allows them to crawl deeper into flowers and reach the pollen bearing anthers.
Finally, spiders also play a role as prey to larger animals such as many birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. As discussed earlier, spiders can be found almost everywhere. This, along with the larger size of some spiders, makes them an excellent option for animals.
Aside from wild animals, spiders have one more predator to look out for: us! Spiders make many people uncomfortable or nervous and are often killed or removed without a second thought. While it’s okay not to be comfortable with them, it is important to know the importance they play in the environment and in our lives.
Dew-covered spider web. Photo by Sam Retz.
