 Spiders have a widespread, but largely undeserved reputation as being dangerous to the health and welfare of people and their pets. In truth, spiders are extremely beneficial because they prey on many insects that we consider to be pests in our homes and gardens. Not all spiders build webs to snare their prey. Some species ambush their prey from tubular tunnels built in the ground or under rocks. Other species simply build a loose collection of webbing in which they live. These types of spiders are the ones that most frequently invade homes. They may remain hidden for most of the day, then hunt for prey at night.
Spiders are not insects. They are close relatives of ticks, mites and scorpions, which all belong in the group called arachnids. Unlike insects, which have three main body sections and six legs, spiders have two body sections and eight legs. The eyes, mouthparts and legs are found on the front section of the body, known as the cephalothorax. The second section, the abdomen, bears the openings for breathing, the digestive and reproductive systems, and the external organs used for spinning silk or webbing. Most spiders are identified by size, color, markings on the body and the number (usually six or eight) and arrangement of eyes. Female spiders wrap their eggs in a silken spun sac. Some species carry this egg sac, while others deposit it somewhere within their nest. Hatchling spiders (spiderlings) often produce a silk thread that allows them to be carried by wind currents to other areas.
Courtesy of North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
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