JACKSON, WYO — Few people are aware that spiders can easily travel and be transported via wind currents, says spider biologist Peter Parker. Certain species of spiders, like Wyoming’s Hobo spider or Eratigena agrestis, actually count on wind currents to distribute their eggs and keep them safe from predators.
“Spider eggs are tiny, but enough of them clumped together is an easy meal for predators,” Parker said. “If they can travel with the wind, not only do they break up and become harder for predators to spot, but they also ensure a growing population.”
Parker confirmed that the combination of El Niño and Pineapple Express, two eastern blowing weather patterns, has created a “perfect storm” of wind currents. This rare occurrence hes deposited a massive number of Hobo spider eggs right here in Teton County.
“It’s not often we see these two currents in tandem,” Parker said. “It’s a veritable jackpot for the Hobo spider.”
Parker says, residents can expect large quantities of the spider, affectionately called the “aggressive house spider,” in their yards, homes, toilets and showers.
“Their level of toxicity isn’t actually well known,” in a few rare spider bite cases, people like Parker have reported “spidey-like” abilities, like crawling up walls and spinning webs. “The best course of action is to just leave them alone,” Parker said.
How many spiders have you killed while reading this? Don’t worry, your house is probably just as spider-infested as it’s always been — check the date.
