Bug Identifier
Nursery Web Spider
Community identification

Nursery Web Spider

Pisaurina mira

Order & Family
Araneae: Pisauridae
Size
Body length 10-15 mm for females; males are slightly smaller.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Fields, meadows, and woodlands, often found on shrubs, tall grass, or the exterior of buildings.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; hunts various insects such as flies, moths, and gnats using ambush tactics.

Behavior Patterns

Do not build webs to catch prey; females carry their egg sacs in their chelicerae and build a silk 'nursery' tent when the eggs are ready to hatch.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by controlling pest insect populations; they are not aggressive toward humans and their venom is not considered medically significant.