Rank Family | Scientific name Eresidae Higher classification Eresoidea Order Spider | |
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Lower classifications Eresus, Ladybird spider, Eresus sandaliatus | ||
Gandanameno sp velvet spider feeding
The velvet spiders (family Eresidae) are a small group (about 100 species in 9 genera) of almost totally Old World spiders (exception: a few species are known from Brazil). The characteristics of this family of spiders are that they are entelegyne (have a genital plate in the female), eight-eyed araneomorph spiders that build unkempt webs. They are cribellate (use woolly silk). Some species are nearly eusocial, lacking only a specialized caste system and a queen. They cooperate in brood rearing, unlike most other spiders except for some African agelenid spiders in the genus Agelena and a few others.
Contents
Female velvet spiders exhibit a remarkable type maternal care unique among arachnids. Upon the birth of her brood, the mother spider liquefies her internal organs and regurgitates this material as food. Once her capability to liquefy her insides is exhausted, the young sense this and consume the mother.
The genus Penestomus was previously placed in Eresidae as the subfamily Penestominae, but was elevated to its own family, Penestomidae, in 2010.
Feeding my 3 Velvet spiders.
Genera
As of October 2015, the World Spider Catalog accepted the following genera:
