Our New Resident: A Nephila Clavipes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around naming a Nephila clavipes spider that has taken residence outside a participant's house. Participants share their thoughts on the spider's characteristics, express their admiration, and suggest various names, while also discussing their experiences with spiders in general.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the spider's size and predatory behavior, mentioning it has eaten a lizard.
  • Several participants express admiration for the spider's appearance, with one comparing it to a house spider seen in the UK.
  • Multiple name suggestions are proposed, including "Millie," "Doris," "Chiquita," "Nephi," and "Charlotte," with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
  • Some participants humorously suggest names that reflect fear or exaggeration, such as "The thing that'll kill your family in its sleep" and "eight legged death with dripping fangs."
  • There is a discussion about the spider's gender, with clarification that the spider is female and that males are much smaller.
  • One participant shares information about the spider's venom, referencing Wikipedia, and inquires about the quality of digital cameras for close-up shots.
  • Humor is present throughout, with jokes about spiders and personal reactions to them, including fear and surprise.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the spider's beauty and the fun of naming it, but there is no consensus on a single name, as multiple suggestions and humorous alternatives are offered.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the spider's venom and its effects, while others share personal anecdotes that may not be universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in arachnology, casual discussions about pets or local wildlife, and those who enjoy lighthearted naming games may find this thread engaging.

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We have a relatively new resident, a Nephila clavipes, living outside our house. She's been there all summer long. She wasn't all that big when I first saw her a couple months ago, but now -- this image is just about right (source: wikipedia):

800px-Nephila_clavipes_perspective.JPG


Yesterday she was snackin' on a good-sized lizard that must have fallen out of the tree below which she is currently nesting. That's not all that good (those lizards are great pest control), but normally she snacks on critters I would rather not have around such as mosquitos and wood roaches.

Any suggestions for a name (not that she'll respond to it, of course)?
 
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I wish we had spiders like that in the UK, she's beautiful. Best one I've seen all summer is a 1.5inch house spider.

(I shan't comment on the lite beer, I'm just surprised someone who drinks it would get close to a spider that size... :biggrin:)
 
The markings on her abdo look like dew on a can of Miller Lite.


Millie! :smile:
 
DaveC426913 said:
The markings on her abdo look like dew on a can of Miller Lite.


Millie! :smile:

Nice, I like it!
 
Doris.
 
Astronuc said:
Doris.

Did you say Boris?
 
How about Holy Crap, because that's what I'd say every time I saw her.
 
lisab said:
How about Holy Crap, because that's what I'd say every time I saw her.
She's very beautiful! I used to see them a lot around Houston particular in garden areas.

You could name her mate Morris, or Marvin.
 
jarednjames said:
I wish we had spiders like that in the UK, she's beautiful. Best one I've seen all summer is a 1.5inch house spider.

This one has been seen in UK, and from what I read it is getting more and more common:

Argiope_bruennichi.jpg


Definitely smaller, body size around half an inch.
 
  • #10
My garden is infested with spiders between 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in length, they have some lovely markings. I'd just like to see something a bit bigger, the tiddlers we currently have aren't exactly awe inspiring.
 
  • #11
jarednjames said:
I'd just like to see something a bit bigger..

Have toddlers? Toss one into a web. Wait a few weeks.
 
  • #12
Chiquita.

[URL]http://rookery.s3.amazonaws.com/1014000/1014228_2fea_625x1000.jpg[/URL]
 
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  • #13
DaveC426913 said:
Have toddlers? Toss one into a web. Wait a few weeks.

Toddler? As in kids?

Tiddler - as in really small.

Don't know whether I've miss-understood what you said or you misread me. Didn't stop me spitting coke over my laptop because of what you wrote though.

Borg I thought that was real then
 
  • #14
Jill
 
  • #15
How about just "Nephi".
Nephila clavipes
 
  • #16
How about "The thing that'll kill your family in its sleep.' "

*Shudder*

Ok Ok... umm... Todesengel (or Tod for short)... means "angel of death" in German.

Or... ansatsusha no tokage (Lizard Assassin) (and Ana for short) in Japanese?

Otherwise: Charlotte.
 
  • #17
nismaratwork said:
How about "The thing that'll kill your family in its sleep.'

Are you saying the spider dreams of killing DH's family? :biggrin:
 
  • #18
jarednjames said:
Are you saying the spider dreams of killing DH's family? :biggrin:

Yes. Yes I am. Androids dream of electric sheep and that big ****er is dreaming of eating D H. No doubt we'll see no posts, become worried, and they'll find him wrapped in silk and sucked dry. :-p
 
  • #19
D H said:
Any suggestions for a name (not that she'll respond to it, of course)?

Peter Parker

ooh, you said a she...

Patty Parker
 
  • #20
jarednjames said:
Borg I thought that was real then

When I was trying to come up with a name for DH's spider, I found that the common name for the spider is a banana spider. When I searched for pictures to verify that it was the same type, I saw that one and just couldn't resist posting it. :biggrin:
 
  • #21
From Wikipedia:

"The venom of the golden silk orb-weaver is potent but not lethal to humans. It has a neurotoxic effect similar to that of the black widow spider; however, its venom is not nearly as powerful. The bite causes local pain, redness, and blisters that normally disappear within a 24-hour interval. In rare cases, it might trigger allergic reactions and result in respiratory troubles (in asthmatics) or fast-acting involuntary muscle cramps. As the genus possesses relatively strong chelicera, the bite could leave a scar on hard tissue (such as fingers)."

Think you could get a close-up of her fangs? Just how good are those digital cameras anyway?
 
  • #22
jackmell said:
From Wikipedia:

"The venom of the golden silk orb-weaver is potent but not lethal to humans. It has a neurotoxic effect similar to that of the black widow spider; however, its venom is not nearly as powerful. The bite causes local pain, redness, and blisters that normally disappear within a 24-hour interval. In rare cases, it might trigger allergic reactions and result in respiratory troubles (in asthmatics) or fast-acting involuntary muscle cramps. As the genus possesses relatively strong chelicera, the bite could leave a scar on hard tissue (such as fingers)."

Think you could get a close-up of her fangs? Just how good are those digital cameras anyway?


:

Oh man... I am so glad that buggers don't live near me.
 
  • #23
Jimmy is a nice name.
 
  • #24
lisab said:
Jimmy is a nice name.

For a girl? (or did we assume it's female?)
 
  • #25
She's a she. The males are tiny in comparison. She's had a mate - and like some females of our species, she ate him alive.
 
  • #26
jackmell said:
Just how good are those digital cameras anyway?
Some pics!
attachment.php?attachmentid=28551&stc=1&d=1285554155.jpg


attachment.php?attachmentid=28552&stc=1&d=1285554155.jpg


attachment.php?attachmentid=28553&stc=1&d=1285554155.jpg
 

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  • #27
jarednjames said:
Toddler? As in kids?
Yep.
jarednjames said:
Don't know whether I've miss-understood what you said or you misread me.
Nope.

:biggrin:
 
  • #28
D H said:
She's a she. The males are tiny in comparison. She's had a mate - and like some females of our species, she ate him alive.

Ha, second time today I've spat coke on my laptop. It's not having a good day to be fair!

Liking the pics, she is a real beauty.
 
  • #29
Well, at least I know what my nightmares will feature tonight. :cry:
 
  • #30
jarednjames said:
lisab said:
Jimmy is a nice name.

For a girl? (or did we assume it's female?)

It's tradition here, I believe, that everything that needs a name, will be Jimmy.

Anyway, in Dutch, the appropriate name for a spider is Sebastian. That's because of http://www.joerioudshoorn.nl/verhaaltjes/spinseba.htm
 
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