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Green lynx spider (Peucetia viridans) Photographs by Marguerite W. text by Jerry Cates
Three genera of the Oxyopidae Family are found in the United States and Canada. The green lynx (Peucetia viridans) is one of two species, in the genus Peucetia, found in this region--the other, Peucetia longipalpis, which is similar to P. viridans but lacks the complex, white mottling on its abdomen, is found over much the same range. The lynx spiders are voracious insectivores, and are considered highly beneficial as predators of insects that damage crops. Arachnologists have observed, however, that they have an appetite beneficial insects, such as bees and wasps, too. As with many of nature's proclivities (e.g., the rat snake's taste for birds and their eggs), the blessing of the green lynx is sometimes a curse. The bite of this spider is not considered harmful to humans.
The eight eyes of the lynx spider are arranged in two rows. The four eyes in the posterior row appear as black dots in the enlargement of marguerite's photo, shown above. Many thanks to Marguerite for supplying this photo. ---------------------------------------------- We are investigating the risk of secondary infections that may occur as a result of bites from this and other, otherwise harmless spiders whose venom is known to pose little or no danger to humans. In the process, we are collecting information on experiences persons have had with such spider bites. Please contact us about your personal experiences, if you have been bitten by this or any other spider, including jumping spiders and garden spiders (the bites of which typically produce a transitory inflammation, but resolve within a few days without medical attention), whether recently or in the past thirty years, anywhere in the world. For example, the bite of a species of garden spider, the golden orb spider of Australia [Nephila edulis] typically is unremarkable, but on occasion produces medically significant secondary infections; the frequency and nature of bites experienced from that species of spider is also a part of this study. The object of this study is to collect data that might relate to a mysterious series of spider-related infections, involving a special pathogen, that took place in the United States and in Australia between 1977 and 2006. Although only fifteen such infections were reported to medical establishments, seven appear to be associated with spider bites. Some authorities suggest that the number of actual infections of this type that occurred in the U.S. and Australia during the past thirty years is much larger, but that they have been underreported. Underreporting of specific kinds of infections can occur, either because the persons infected chose not to seek medical assistance, or the medical establishments misdiagnosed the infections as being caused by other infectious agents. We are seeking to establish an estimate of the number of human spider bites that occur each year by these and similar spiders, whether the bite resulted in injury to the human or not. Next, we hope to establish the number of instances where the bite (1) became inflamed and/or infected, then resolved without medical intervention, or (2) infected, ulcerated, or led to a generalized sickness, and required medical intervention. ---------------------------------------------- Back to: Texas Spiders Back to: Bugsinthenews |
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