Cupiennius

Cupiennius, known by the common name bromeliad spiders or as the often confused name banana spiders,[2] is a genus of araneomorph spiders in the family Trechaleidae, named by Eugène Simon in 1891.[3] They are found from Mexico to northwestern South America, and on some Caribbean islands. Unlike the dangerously venomous Phoneutria, bites from these spiders typically have only minor effects on humans, and have been compared to a bee sting.[4]

Cupiennius
Adult male Cupiennius salei in northern Honduras
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Trechaleidae
Genus: Cupiennius
Simon, 1891[1]
Type species
C. getazi
Simon, 1891
Species

11, see text

C. getazi with female katydid prey (Tettigoniidae sp.), Panama

Members of this genus come in a range of sizes, from cephalothorax lengths less than 9 mm (0.35 in) to large species, with a cephalothorax length of 40 mm (1.6 in).[4] The larger species are sometimes found far outside their native ranges in shipments of fruits, where they are frequently confused with Phoneutria spiders.[2]

Description

These spiders hide during the day then come out to hunt during the night. They usually hide in particular plants, usually in bromeliads, agaves and the banana family. They are medium to large spiders,[5] and are usually a grey, brown or orange color. Sometimes owning a striped pattern. They have relatively longer legs then their bodies.

Retreat

These spiders hide during the day then come out to hunt during the night. They are quite specific with their retreats. They usually hide in bromeliads, agaves and the banana family. If these leaves are exposed they would usually stick together leaves or make tunnels by bending or rolling up leaves and pasting them with silk. The inside of the retreat is usually more humid then the outside during the day, usually being at 90% humidity, as drying up is a considerable risk for them.[5]

Hunting

They hunt at night, venturing out of their retreats to stalk prey on leaves. They do this in what we consider total darkness. Although they have advanced eyes they primarily sense prey by detecting minute vibrations, which they may feel up to several meters away. Vibrations are sensed by specialized organs called metatarsal lyriform organs, which are located in the metatarsus of the two front legs. These organs consist of tiny slits, which are parallel to one another, looking like a lyre. When the tarsus is moved by the vibration, they compress, which stimulates the nervous system.[5]

Courtship

These spiders own a very unique courtship system. Once it's time to breed the female will leave a dragline made of silk, wherever she walks to. Once the male recognizes the thread of the female, it will start sending vibrations to the plant the string was found on. Being distinct to each species. If the females replies, the male will follow the vibrations to the female.[5]

Species

As of April 2019 it contains eleven species:[1]

References
  1. Gloor, Daniel; Nentwig, Wolfgang; Blick, Theo; Kropf, Christian (2019). "Gen. Cupiennius Simon, 1891". World Spider Catalog Version 20.0. Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2019-05-24.
  2. Vetter, R.S.; Crawford, R.L.; Buckle, D. J. (2014). "Spiders (Araneae) Found in Bananas and Other International Cargo Submitted to North American Arachnologists for Identification". Journal of Medical Entomology. 51 (6): 1136–1143. doi:10.1603/me14037. PMID 26309299. S2CID 27097945.
  3. Simon, E. (1891). "Descriptions de quelques arachnides du Costa Rica communiqués pa M. A. Getaz (de Genève)". Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France. 16: 109–112.
  4. Vetter, R.S.; Hillebrecht (2008). "On distinguishing two often-misidentified genera (Cupiennius, Phoneutria) (Araneae: Ctenidae) of large spiders found in Central and South American cargo shipments". American Entomology. 54: 82–87.
  5. Barth, Friedrich G. (2008). "Cupiennius (Araneae, Ctenidae): Biology and sensory ecology of a model spider" (PDF). Zobodat. Stapfia. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
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