Green Linx Spider

     Scientific Nomenclature: Peucetia viridans

   
      The green linx spider, or Peucetia viridans is the largest North American member of the oxyopidae family and typically inhabits leafy vegetation. They are a remarkable lime green hue with the female's size ranging up to twenty-two milimeters, and the male having a more slender build and size up to twelve milimeteds long.

     Six chevron-like patterns of white line the abdomen, and red spots appear near the eyes as adults. Most members of the oxyopidae family have thin, black spines protruding from their legs. A strikingly similar species, known as Peucetia longipalpia also dwells within the United States. Although nearly identical, their bodies are not as decorated, and they tend to be shorter than Peucetia viridans.
     A pigment known as tetrapyrrole is decreased in late adulthood, modifying the color to a more yellow hue, perhaps as an adaptation to blend in with the changing colors of leaves. Females become quite aggressive in September through October, and as a line of defense to protect their egg sac, they can eject venom from their chelicerae, or fangs, up to almost a foot away.
     These spiders can be found across the southern United States and California. They also thrive in Central America, the West Indies, and Venezuela. They usually dwell on such leafy vegetation as shrubs and hedges.

Spiny Orb Weaver

    Genus name: Gasteracantha

     Spiny orb weavers belong to the genus Gasteracantha, andare sometimes commonly called a crab shell spider. They are nonvenomous to humans, and they bare six spines along their abdomens, which can reach widths of 30mm in some species. A similar genus of orb weavers, knownas isoxya, has shorter spikes, and contains around sixteen species.
     Gasteracantha cancriformis has a yellow shellon its abdomen, and can be found throughout the southern portion of the United States, and in parts of central and south America, and many tropical island nations, including Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican republic, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. Several varieties are known to exist in this region. It has invaded Australia, South Africa, the Phillipines, and Hawaii in small populations. Its common habitats include woodland edges, shrubbery, and citrus groves.

Brown Widow Spider

     Scientific Nomenclature: Lactodectrus geometricus

      The brown widow, also known as the brown button spider, or more properly, Lactodectrus geometricus, is a venomous spider whose venom remains just as potent as its relative the black widow, or Lactodectrus mactans. It contains a neurotoxin, which affects nerve endings, producing lactodectus, which includes, pain, muscle stiffness, vomitting, and sweating.
     L. geometricus bites are statistically less toxic or fatal than bites from L. mactans. Its toxic effects are typically isolated near the bite site, rather than spreading, perhaps because a smaller injection of venom is more likely to occur from L. geometricus.
     L. geometricus can be found throughout most of the world, and is thought to have originated in South Africa.

Golden Orb Weaver

     Scientific Nomenclature: Nephila Claviceps

      The golden orb spider, or Nephila Claviceps, usually resides in temperate regions of the world, and is notorious for their webs. Their name is due to the hue of their silk, which is the result of chemicals, including anthurenic acid, two quinones, and an unknown fourth compound. It order to camoflage its web in sunlight, the spider is capable of altering the intensity of this color to provide adequate subterfuge against the background hue and brightness of the sun.
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