Pigged Out!

by Eric Neibauer

She’s an adult and significantly underweight suggesting she just used up all her reserves during her adult molt. While I was trying to photograph her, there were dozens of moths fluttering around the bowl she was in. As I dodged the moths myself I saw her grab three moths in less than a minute. One is in her jaws with the wings showing at the lower left. The other two are pinned down with her forelegs and their heads are clearly visible. Pound for pound these must be some of the most ferocious animals in the world. If I ever see a tiger take down 3 antelopes in less than a minute, I may change my opinion.

This is possibly another unnamed species, and thanks to my most recent expedition to Val Verde County, I finally have enough photos to characterize the macroscopic appearance of both adult sexes. I’ve come up with a provisional common name, Buttermilk Wolf Spider, and created a project on iNaturalist under that name. We first found some at a bioblitz in April, 2024, and thought it might be Schizocosa mccooki. Further study suggested significant differences. Specimens were collected for DNA analysis this time around have and will help provide answers.

Another novel experience on the same trip was photographing four juvenile Hogna coloradensis that had recently left their mothers. Catching them was the first major challenge. Not only are they surprisingly fast but they’re unable to climb over the edges of most containers. I had designed a special scooper, a solo cup with the rim cut off and sides trimmed to a scoop shape. Cups are only a couple thousandths thick and the spiderlings had no trouble climbing over the edge. In general they
didn’t like being there, and I had to upend the scoop quickly before they turned and ran out.

I don’t think anyone got spiderling photos of this species before and the usual practice would involve taking them off their mother. I had tried scooping up Hogna incognita spiderlings a couple of years back but I had to push dirt with spiderlings on top into the scoop and then separate everything. Going after free running ones with confidence was something new.